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Team USA Minnesota Selected for Allan Steinfeld Development Award
Inaugural Award Named in Honor of NYRR's Steinfeld, Who Catalyzed American Distance Running Resurgence
From Running USA wire
February 3, 2010
Carlsbad, CA
The Running USA 2010 Conference included the Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction presented by ING on Monday evening, February 1 in Carlsbad, CA. Team USA Minnesota was selected for the inaugural Allan Steinfeld Development Award. The development award was named after Allan Steinfeld, a long-time leader in the sport, who jump-started the U.S. distance running resurgence.
As head of the New York Road Runners, Allan Steinfeld had allocated $20,000 seed money ($1 per U.S. entry at the 2000 New York City Marathon) for the development program Team USA Distance Running created in November 2000. That brilliant initiative produced training groups such as Team Running USA (two Olympic medals in 2004 and major marathon wins) based in California, and Team USA Minnesota, and inspired others.
"Naming this award for Allan Steinfeld is fitting as Allan was instrumental in helping create the foundation and environment that led to the successes of America's top distance runners over the past nine years. Since our inception in March 1999, part of Running USA's mission has included athlete development. This annual award will continue that important support and promotion. Team USA Minnesota, which is entering its 10th year of operation, is a deserving recipient," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.
Photo by www.photorun.net at 2009 ING New York City Marathon: Team USA Minnesota veteran Jason Lehmkuhl (31) of Minneapolis, MN placed 15th (48:04, 2nd American) among men in the 2009 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile in Washington, DC.
Team USA Minnesota president and founder Pat Goodwin spoke, "We are honored to be selected for this inaugural award created by Running USA. This recognition is a tribute to our athletes, our volunteer board, our local and national sponsors, and to Coach Dennis Barker. We truly appreciate Running USA's confidence in our program as well as the additional funding this award provides to our training center."
Last autumm, established U.S. distance training groups were invited to apply for 2010 funding. During its annual conference, Running USA, the national industry non-profit organization, awarded $25,000 from its live and silent auction proceeds. This year's recipient, Team USA Minnesota, was represented and feted at the Hall of Champions dinner.
Six U.S. distance training groups--Bay Area Track Club, Mammoth Track Club, McMillan Elite, TeamROGUE Elite, Team USA Minnesota, and ZAP Fitness--applied for the 2010 development award.
About Team USA Minnesota
Team USA Minnesota is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The training center brings together local and national resources to improve the competitiveness of post-collegiate American distance runners on the track, roads and cross country. Team USA Minnesota was formed in 2001, and since that time has developed an Olympian (Carrie Tollefson), members of Team USA distance squads at World Championships, and 11 national champions in events ranging from the 1500 meters up through the marathon. For more information, see www.teamusaminnesota.org
About Running USA
Running USA advances, serves, promotes and celebrates the sport of running by serving as a clearinghouse and resource center. This goal is accomplished through its popular annual conference, the Running USA wire, Running USA e-news, a Web site, an annual marathon, State of the Sport reports, and youth fitness portal RunningRocks.com. The organization also supports athlete development.
Running USA's more than 260 members include road races, race services companies, running-related media companies and organizations, and the athletic industry.
In March 2009, the non-profit industry organization marked a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport. For more information, see RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org