Under a new policy adopted by the Professional Road Running Organization (PRRO) Circuit, athletes who are returning to competition after serving a drug suspension will not be invited to compete in any PRRO Circuit event. Athletes deemed eligible by the IAAF after their suspension is served may enter PRRO events through the normal registration process, but without travel, lodging, and other hospitality arrangements that are normally extended to top road racers.

"Two years ago all PRRO events agreed to do drug testing at our own cost," said PRRO President Don Kardong, who is also the Race Director of the Lilac Bloomsday Run. "This new policy underscores how seriously we take our commitment to a drug-free sport. Simply being eligible to compete again after serving a drug suspension doesn't mean an athlete has earned the courtesy of an invitation to compete again, at least not at any PRRO Circuit event."

The new policy is effective immediately at the five PRRO Circuit events, which include the World's Best 10K in San Juan, Puerto Rico; the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in Washington, DC; the Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane, WA; The Atlanta Journal- Constitution Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, GA; and the Utica Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY. The PRRO Circuit offers world- class competition for athletes of all nations in events at less than the marathon distance. Drug testing is carried out by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.