SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - (December 12, 2007) - Led by Ryan Hall's sub-one hour half-marathon in Houston, U.S. marathon debut record at London and Olympic Marathon Trials triumph in Central Park, Team Running USA athletes again distinguished themselves with world class performances, multiple national titles and U.S. records and USA Running Circuit Grand Prix titles.

"Since 2001, Team Running USA athletes have performed well nationally and internationally, and this year was no exception. Ryan Hall, of course, had an exciting, historic year, while Deena Kastor added 5 more national titles and two U.S. records, fellow Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi took on Kenya's best road racers this summer and Kate O'Neill had a wonderful marathon debut for third in the heat at Chicago," said Basil Honikman, CEO of Running USA.

"Our training group works because the dedicated athletes and coaches Terrence Mahon, Bob Larsen and Joe Vigil understand the importance of teamwork and that the collective whole is bigger and better than the individual. In 2008, we expect Team Running USA to vie for several Olympic team berths and to continue its high level of achievement," Honikman added.

During 2007, Team Running USA athletes also generated plenty of media interest and exposure with features, profiles and cover shots in major wire services and publications such as the AP, New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe and Runner's World as well as a feature piece on NPR's "Only a Game".

Below is the major 2007 performance summary for the Team Running USA development program.

3 NATIONAL RECORDS
On January 14, at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, Ryan Hall shattered the long-standing U.S. half-marathon record with his 59:43. The previous record was 1:00:55 by Mark Curp at the 1985 Philadelphia Distance Run. Hall also became the first American to break one hour for the distance on a record standard course.