This guide was prepared by Scott Simmons, member of the Men's Long Distance Running Committee of USA Track & Field. Layout, presentation and editing by Bill Roe, Vice President of USA Track & Field and Secretary to the Men's Long Distance Running Committee. Contributions by Dave Oja, member of the Women's Long Distance Running Committee. Chair of the Men's Committee is Danny Grimes (208-234-1368) and Chair of the Women's Committee is Carol McLatchie (713-777-6840). USA Track & Field is the national governing body for track & field, long distance and cross country running, and race walking in the United States. Headquarters are at #140 - One RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225. Telephone 1-800-868-8184 or (317) 261-0500. Facsimile is (317) 261-0481.

A. Welcome to Post Collegiate Running
B. An Overview of What You Will Need
C. Money
D. Coaching Resources
E. Training Facilities
F. Racing Opportunities
G. Developmental Programs

If you are reading this guide, it is assumed you are or recently were a collegiate distance runner. It is also hoped that you have the desire to continue your running career and that you have the passion to develop your running ability to its potential.

You probably understand that in the United States, the task of developing athletes has been assumed by colleges and universities and, once you graduate all the resources that aided your development in college are no longer guaranteed. As one savvy coach describes it, "the umbilical cord of the collegian is cut."

Lucrative Road Racing Circuit? Many post collegians have hopes of making big money as a professional road racer. Unfortunately, not as much is out there to be made and making a living as a runner is almost unrealistic. David Monti of Race Results Weekly provides the following information:

For most U.S. (runners), earnings from road racing can only be viewed as an income supplement. Excluding the hefty paychecks paid at the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon last year, the top earning U.S. men on the roads in 1996 were:

1. Jerry Lawson, $44,675 (includes $35,000 for Chicago Marathon)
2. Alfredo Vigueras, $35,700 (includes USARC #2 of $8,000)
3. Mark Coogan, $28,600 (includes USARC #1 of $12,000)
4. Joe Lemay, $18,400 (includes USARC #3 of $5000)
5. Todd Williams, $11,000

1. Anne Marie Lauck, $81,950 (includes USARC #1 of $12,000)
2. Kristy Johnson, $68,500 (includes USARC #3 of $5,000)
3. Jenny Spangler, $45,000 (includes $45,000 for Olympic Trials win)
4. Linda Somers, $43,800
5. Lynn Nelson, $32,700 (includes USARC #2 of $8,000)

In 1996, a total of only 14 US men and only 28 US women earned $10,000 or more in road race prize money. In addition, lucrative shoe contracts only exist for the very best in the world and a very good graduating collegian would probably only receive an equipment contract.

As words of warning, do not expect the world to knock down your door. Don't expect to be given anything. All those things necessary to pursuing your running goals must be found and developed by you. You must make your own opportunities, promote yourself and compromise other parts of your life to live your passion for running.

The purpose of this guide is to give you information on how to make your life as an elite post-collegiate distance runner a reality. It is our hopes that by providing this information that many more talented Americans will continue their careers, increasing the current pool of American elites. We strongly believe that the next American Olympic medalist in a distance event will come from this pool. And that is our ultimate goal: to assist an American athlete to medal in a distance event in Sydney 2000.

Much will change as you leave college behind, but remember those factors that worked for you while you were a collegian and create a situation that provides those factors now.

One of the US's most successful marathoners, Bill Rodgers, recognizes the plight of the American runner and suggests the proper frame of mind needed for an American medal to be a reality. Rodgers says, "I had always been helped by my teammates from high school and college. After college I suddenly had no teammates or support so I quit running for two years. I started again when I moved to Boston with Coach Billy Squires ... and the Greater Boston Track Club. To me an Olympic gold medal was more important than shoe contracts and to work toward it (in a team situation) was ideal."

It is good to approach your transition out of college with the same considerations you made when going to college. Being recruited as a high schooler, you considered many factors before choosing a school. These are some of the factors you must again consider to put you in an environment conducive to developing as a runner. Important factors include: money for food and housing; coaching, training facilities and a training group (team); racing opportunities; and developmental programs.

Regard yourself as a recruit again, except this time no one will be calling on you. You must solicit yourself to find an appropriate training situation.

The following sections address each of these factors and may give you ideas on how to pursue each one, as well as contacts who may be able to help you. But, in the end, you are responsible for your running future.

Money
The biggest hurdle is how to live while making a commitment to training. The following suggestions may lead you to a good situation.

- Very few athletes make a living as an athlete. This should not be your primary goal. Money from sponsors and from races is nice and certainly will help, but should not be counted on to pay the rent.

- Put your degree to work for you. You may not want to pursue your occupational career goals while chasing your running goals, but it may be easier to solicit support (time and money) from your own employer than from some other company who regards you as a stranger.

- Find a job that is flexible and allows you as much time as you need to train, while not being too physically (or mentally) demanding. Following are suggested jobs:

- Substitute Teacher - this job allows plenty of time for training, requires little or no preparation and in many states can be obtained with any

bachelor's degree. Check with your local school board.
- Full Time Teacher - While its not an easy job, it does provide afternoons and summers off.
- Graduate Student - Staying in school helps maintain contact with a team and a familiar coach. Check into graduate assistantships with stipends.
- Apartment Manager - A very flexible schedule but with real responsibility. However, it provides housing and pay.
- Real Estate Guide - Also flexible, but may require working at inconvenient times.
- Title Researcher - researching liens and deeds in courthouses for title or real estate companies. Can get paid per case.
- Ministry Occupations- Flexible hours.
- Coach - While it seems like a good match, be careful as this one can take more time and energy than anticipated.
- Photographer - Whether at a local department store or for your town's newspaper, the physical demands are low and you have a flexible schedule.
- Park/Recreation Worker - Many jobs are seasonal, part-time or after hours which leaves plenty of time for training.
- US West - Provides airline job opportunities for elite track athletes.

Corporate Sponsorship - Its good if you can get it, but a job is your best bet. Following are some tips on this.

- Start with a running resume.
- Run big races. Let people see you perform.
- Make connections. Talk to other runners, coaches, agents and race directors.
- Equipment is the easiest to get.
- You have to be on the level of an NCAA All-American to get travel money.
- A stipend is even harder to come by. These are reserved for the studs. $250 per month is the average stipend, with the top level being $500.
- An agent can help if you feel you need it.
- Do not back out of your contracts.
- Remember the company you work or worked for, as well as those of relatives.

Following is a listing of coaches who are willing to work with post-collegians. Many runners can continue working with their college coach or return to their high school coach. But some runners return home or relocate for employment. The following guidelines are recommended in considering a change in coaching:

1 - Contact the coach, and just as you did in high school, get information on their coaching ability, past successes, time available and willingness to work with you. Coaches who have earned USATF certifications are noted. Level I is USATF's basic course, with Level II and III being the more advanced certifications.

2 - Ask what, aside from coaching, they and their school or club can provide such as training facilities, training groups.
3 - Ask if you will have other runners of similar ability to train with, either collegians or post-collegians.
4 - Also realize that most coaches will be willing to help you without a charge, but some coaches earn a living by coaching individual athletes.

Alabama:

John Parks
3401 Inverness Lane
Birmingham, AL 35242
205-995-0040
vulcanxc@aol.com

Scott Simmons, LII
University of Mobile
PO Box 13220
Mobile, AL 36663
1-800-WIN-RAMS
xcscott@gulftel.com

Arizona:

David Jansen
Northern Arizona U
703 W Beal Rd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
djansen@wlgore.com

Ronn Mann
Northern Arizona U
Flagstaff, AZ
520-523-4444
ronmann@nau.edu

Arkansas:

Kirk Elias, LII
UArkansas-Little Rock
2801 S University
Little Rock, AR 72204
W-501-569-8921
KdElias@aol.com

California:

Mark Conover
Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, CA
mconover@slonet.org

Robert Darling, LI
1212 21st Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94129-1710
415-566-7860
darling6@ix.netcom.com

Mike Fanelli
Impala Racing Team
580 11th Av
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-386-6602
mikalfan@msn.com

Jeff Johnson, LII
Farm Team
Stanford, CA
415-969-0593

George L. Parrott
Buffalo Chips Run Club
Psych Dept / CSU
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
H-916-488-6850
W-916-278-5605
gparrott@csus.edu

Eric Patterson, LI
1347 Jackson St #203
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-923-0718
RunRightSF@aol.com

David Ponas
3727 Glen Park Rd
Oakland, CA
510-530-4544
DPonas@aol.com

Richard McCann
Golden Valley Harriers
2516 Bonbadil Ln
Davis, CA 95616
916-756-0626
mccann@cal.net

Kirk Reynolds
Pomona-Pitzer College
Rains Center
220 E. 6th St
Claremont, CA 91711
909-621-8429
kreynolds@pomona.edu

Tony Sandoval
Univ of Cal-Berkley
501-687-3862
tsandoval@uclink2.berkley.edu

Mark Winitz
PO Box 1621
Los Altos (San Fran), CA 94023
415-948-0618
winitusatf@aol.com

Colorado:

Benji Durden
654 Tantra Dr
Boulder, CO 80303-6182
303-499-6584
benjid@rmii.com

Toby Jacober, LI
jacober@stripe.COLRADO.EDU

Glenn McCarthy
9430 Cody Drive
Westminister, CO 80021
303-424-9159
Glenn_McCarthy@smtpgw.access.com

Jon Sinclair
723 W. Mountain
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970-493-5659
AnaerMngmt@aol.com

Connecticut:

Tim Longacre, LII
10 Main St.
Cheshire, CT 06410
203-271-0886
longacret@ccsu.edu

Christian Morrison
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Ave.
Fairfield, CT 06432
203-365-7618
Fax 203-371-7889
morrison@sacredheart.edu

Edward Parrot, LI
10 West Ct
Derby, CT 06418
203-734-4355
eparrot@ix.netcom.com

Deleware:

Jim Fischer, LII
University of Deleware

Deleware Fieldhouse
Newark, DE 19716
W-302-831-8846
H-301-738-9621
jfischer@udel.edu

Florida:

Fred Finke, LII (lead instructor)
Lyman High School (near Orlando)
865 Hwy 427
Orlando, FL. 32750
(H) 407-578-5666
(W) 407-320-2239
finkef@gate.net

Ronald M. Gerughty
1012 Tucker Ave
Orlando, FL 32807-5104
407-381-1518
ESYBRON@aol.com

Rick Rothman, LII
Spanish River HS
14560 Sunset Pines Dr
Delray Bch, FL 33445
H-561-495-2247
W-561-241-2019
runninrick@aol.com

Georgia:

Rachel Hopkins, LII
University of Georgia
Coliseum Track Office
PO Box 1472
Athens, GA 30603
H-706-549-6983
W-706-542-8033
Fax 706-542-8033
RHOPKINS@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU

Illinois:

Jeff DeGraw
Lewis University
Rt 53
Romeoville, IL 60446
815-836-5406
Fax 815-856-5835
Track42959@aol.com

Ed Friedman
5734 S. University Ave
Chicago, IL 60637
773-702-3716
ed@math.uchicago.edu

Ray Kuhles
Olivet Nazarene U
Kankakee, IL 60901
815-939-5372
Rkuhles@olivet.edu

Patrick Savage
Niles West/Oakton Runn
5701 W Oakton
Skokie, IL 60077-2693
847-568-3745
psavage@nslsilus.org

Jim Spivey
Jim Spivey Running Club
PO Box 631
|Glen Ellyn, IL 60138
630-858-0931
104475.1501@compuserve.com

Indiana:

Roosevelt Jackson
Brebeny Jesuit
2801 W 86th St
Indianaplois, IN 46268
317-872-7050

Scott Lidskin
LIDSKIN@Butler.EDU

Scot Melor
Indiana USATF
2801 W 86th St
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-876-4743

Sue Parks, LI
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
317-288-4070
sparksl@indy.net

Bob Swank
RR 5, Box 152
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-886-5088
rswank@abcs.com

Ben Paolillo
Purdue Univ.
Rm. 17, Mackey Arena
W. Lafayette, IN 47906
765-494-9126
765-496-3400 fax
E-Mail: bjpaolillo@athletics.purdue.edu

Iowa:

Mike Trujillo, LI
630 Boston Dr
Davenport, IA 52806
319-391-5448
mtrujilo@saunix.sau.edu

Maryland:

Cliff Latham
Salisbury State U
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-6337 |
JLATHAM@ssu.edu

Steve Musselman
Howard Comm College
Columbia, MD
H-301-662-8002
W-410-992-4804
smusselm@ccm.howardcc.edu

Massachusetts:

John Evans
Team New Balance
Boston, MA
617-783-4000 x2880
evansNB@aol.com

Bob Hodge
16 Harbor St
Clinton, MA 01510
508-368-0030
rhodge@gph.com

Bob Sevene
CMS-East
20 Flood St #3
Waltham, MA 02154
achesler@wkap.com

Curt Zing
|Broomfield School
1100 Winter St
Waltham, MA 02154
617-895-3341
Fax 617-895-3416
cbz@harrier.phcs.com

Minnesota:

Charlie Mahler
3101 Woodlot Lane
Duluth, MN 55803
218-525-9454
cmahler@cp.duluth.mn.us

Gary Wilson, LII
University of Minnesota
516 15th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-2058
wilso003@maroon.tc.umn.edu

Mississippi:

Chuck Engle
Mississippi College
PO Box 4517
Clinton, MS 39058
601-925-3234
engle@csc.mc.edu

Missouri:

Wayne Armbrust, LII
3604 Grant Ct
Columbia, MO 65203
573-445-6675
warmbrus@mail.com.missouri.edu

Montana:

Bill Brist
415 3rd Ave E
Kalispell, MT 59901
mtrunr@digisys.net

Duanne Matt
Butte, MT
duanem@montana.com

Nebraska:

Brian Kavanaugh
Wayne State College
1111 Main St
Wayne, NE 68787-1172
402-375-7507
bkavanaugh@wsgate.wsc.edu

New Hampshire:

Barry Harwick
Dartmouth College
HB 6083
Hanover, NH 03755
W-603-646-2540
H-603-643-2887
Fax 603-646-3348
Barry.Harwick@Dartmouth.edu

New York:

Tim Hale
University of Rochester
Alumni Gym
Rochester, NY 14627
716-275-4319
tim@smtpgate.sports.rochester.edu

Dennis McGrath
|South Buffalo Athl Club
Bishop Timon-St.Jude
601 McKinley Pkwy
Buffalo, NY 14220
H-716-627-2955
TheMcGoos@aol.com

Dave Oja
Syracuse Chargers TC
213 Scott Ave
Syracuse, NY 13224
315-446-6285
daveoja@ican.net

North Carolina:

Mike Elder, LII
Raleigh, NC
melder@metrognome.com

David Rinker, LII
Brevard College
Brevard, NC 28712
W-704-884-8228

John Goodridge,
PO Box 7348,
Wake Forest University,
Winston-Salem,NC 27109
Tel (910) 7585630.
E-Mail: goodrijr@wfu.edu

Ohio:

Richard Ceronie
Miami University
Miami, OH
ceronie_rich@msmail.muohio.edu

Vince Peters
Miami Valley TC
607 Omar Circle
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
937-767-7424
vpeters@kelvin.ball.com

Keith Whitman
528 North Willow
Kent, OH 44240
330-678-7956
kwhitman@kent.edu

Oregon:

James Fields
jfields@efn.org

Peter Oviatt, LI
Eugene, OR
541-302-9500
peter@trackcity.com

Carl Sniffen, LI
313 NW A St
Grants Pass, OR 97526
541-955-1525
Runmtnrun@aol.com

Ian Solof
University of Portland
503-735-1551
5524 N. Depauw St.
Portland, OR 97203
solof@uofport.edu

Bob Williams
Portland, OR
bobw@teleport.com

Pennsylvania:

John Drew
The Behrend College
Erie, PA
814-898-6239
jad20@psu.edu

Niall Moyna
Univ of Pitt Med Center
Pittsburg, PA 15213
moyna+@pitt.edu

Don Nichter
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA 17013
nichter@dickinson.edu

Timothy O'Dowd
66 Pin Oak Lane
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-337-9166
w 301-447-1091
Fax 301-447-1005
tpodowd@aol.com

"Uncle" Marty Stern
11 Belmont Square
Doylestown, PA 18901
um@juno.com

Rhode Island:

Mike Scott
miscott@worldnet.att.net

South Carolina:

Andrew Allden, LII
U South Carolina
Rex Enright Center
Columbia, SC 29208
W-803-777-7925
H-803-798-5651
ajallden@uscround.ad.sc.edu

Tennessee:

Vinne Sica
711 C Street
Apt 3
Lnoir City, TN 37771
423-988-0059
vsica@nsl.planetc.com

Tom Murrell
Tennessee High School
1112 Edgemont Ave
Bristol, TN 37620
tmurrell@3wave.com

Texas:

Dr. Robert Chapman
Inst. for Exercise
W 214-345-8875
H 214-327-5903
F 214-345-4618
chapmar@wpmail.phscare.org

John Kellogg
1057 High Hollows Dr #260
Dallas, TX 75230
214-369-6026
weldonj@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu

Ronnie Johnson, LII
Houston Memorial HS
Houston, TX
713-984-1461
rljtrack@tenet.edu

Utah:

Jeff Arbogast, LII (multi-events)
Bingham High School
2160 West 10400 South
South Jordan, UT 84095
(801) 255-6231 hm
(801) 256-5100 school
(801) 256-5151 fax
jarby@ibm.net

Virginia:

Andy Gerard
Coll of William & Mary
PO Box 399
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-221-3398
algera@FACSTAFF.WM.EDU

Steve Taylor
Virginia Tech
309 Cassell Coliseum
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-5037
Fax 540-231-6686
sgtaylor@vt.edu

Washington:

Tom Cotner
1925 E. Crescent Dr
Seattle, WA 98112
W-206-543-6755
H-206-324-8807
tcotner@u.washington.edu

Joe Harlan, LI
Clark College
1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98663
360-992-2330
jharlan@clark.edu

Paul Merca
Club Ballard Athletics
PO Box 71032
Seattle, WA 98107-7032
206-725-3662
clubalrd@accessone.com

Bill Roe, LII
Western Washington U
Bellingham, WA
billroe@wce.wwu.edu

Charles Wandler
1003 32nd St
Bellingham, WA 98225-6913
360-734-8892
charlie@peptide.chem.washinton.edu

Wisconsin:

Ray Reinersten, LI
Univ of Wisc-Superior
Superior, WI 54880
715-394-8409
Fax 715-394-8110
rreinert@staff.uwsuper.edu

Australia:

Steve Bennet
Sydney, Australia
Phone 61 47 531000
stevebn@pnc.com.au

Canada, SouthVancouver:

Hugh Mawby
hmawby@cln.etc.bc.ca

Following is a listing of institutions who have training facilities they are willing to let post collegians use who are aspiring to the Olympics or Pan American events. Many sites would be ideal to temporarily relocate to avoid extreme winter or summer weather or to train at altitude. Most of the schools listed were solicited by the United States Olympic Committee for their Potential Partners list which includes over 190 sites geared toward all Olympic sports. The following list includes those institutions that either have an athletic track or are located at a significant altitude. Dorm rooms are available for rent at many institutions For use of training facilities or living space, please contact the listed person to determine availability. The USOC will, early in 1998, have all institutions listed on the internet. For information on sites without track facilities in other cities, contact Scott Simmons at xcscott@gulftel.com.

Alabama:

Florence, AL
North Alabama Univ
Track, dorms
Don McBrayer
205-760-4377

Mobile, AL
University of Mobile
No track, at sea level
Scott Simmons
1-800-WIN-RAMS
xcscott@gulftel.com

Arizona:

Flaggstaff, AZ
High Altitude Complex
Track, dorms ($45/day)
Richard Borden
520-523-4444
'richard.borden@nau.edu

Flagstaff, AZ
N Arizona State
2 Tracks, dorms
Dave Brown
520-523-3444
kds6@dana.ucc.nau.edu

Glendale, AZ
Glendale CC
Track
Dave Grant
602-435-3040x3046

Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa Sports Commis
Track, dorms
Scott Bartle 602-263-2333

Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale CC
Track
Dr. Herman Walker
602-423-6002
walker@soc.maricopa.edu

Tempe, AZ
Arizona State Univ
Track, dorms
Sarah Berquetski
602-965-2666
sarahb@asu.edu

California
La Jolla, CA
UC San Diego
Track, dorms
Zelda Mc Leish
619-534-7884

Colorado

Fort Collins, CO
Colorado State Univ
Track, dorms
Lance Freeman
970-491-7831
lfreeman@lamar.colostate.edu

Florida

Pensacola, FL
Pensacola JR Coll
Track
Doug Rogers
904-484-1317

St. Petersburg, FL
St Pete Sports Comm
Track, dorms
Holly Clifford
813-464-7250
spcsports@aol.com

Georgia

Atlanta, GA
Emory Univ
Track, dorms
Chuck Gordon
404-727-6547

Marrietta, GA
Life University
Track, dorms
Mike Spino


Savannah, GA
Chatham Aquatic Center
Dorms ($20/night)
Jill White
912-351-6556

Savannah, GA
Savannah Sports Council
Track
Dan Simmons
914-944-0444x320

Statesboro, GA
Georgia Southern Univ
Indoor Track
Steve Sanders
912-681-5436

Illinois
Carbondale, IL
Southern Ilinois Univ
Track
Bill McMinn
618-536-5531

Moline, IL
Quad Cities Sports Com
7 tracks,
Jon White
309-797-1733
sportsfac@ucsd.edu

Naperville, IL
North Central College
Walter Johnson
630-637-5500
Indoor track

Indiana

Terre Haute, IN
Indiana State Univ
Track, dorms
Office Of Conferences
812-237-2522

Ben Paolillo
Purdue Univ.
Rm. 17, Mackey Arena
W. Lafayette, IN 47906
765-494-9126
765-496-3400 fax
E-Mail: bjpaolillo@athletics.purdue.edu

Iowa

Sioux City, IO
Mountainside College
Dorms ($55/week)
Bob Denny
712-274-5179

Kansas

Hays, KS
Ft Hays State Univ
Track, dorms
Tom Spicer
913-628-4050

Wichita, KS
Wichita State Univ
Track, dorms
Howard Taylor
316-978-3082

Kentucky

Lexington, KY
Univ of Kentucky
300 i nd track,
400 out track, dorms
Jon Vaughe
606-257-2898

Louisiana

Monroe, LA
Northeast LA Univ
Track, dorms
Camille Currier
318-342-5305

New Orleans, LA
Tulane University
Track
Allen Patapoff
504-865-5170

Massachusetts

Springfield, MA
Springfield College
Dorms ($25/night)
Dr. Bill Considine
413-748-3385

Michigan

Mt. Pleasant, MI
Central Michigan Univ
Track, dorms
Dave Alsager
517-774-3686

Minnesota

Brooklyn Center, MN
Minneapolis C/V Bureau
8 tracks, dorms
Kathy Enghauser
612-566-7722
kathy@northmetrominneapolis.org

Moorehead, MN
Concordia College
Track
Tim Mosser
218-299-4435

Missouri

Cape Girardeau
Southeast MO State
Track
Rec Staff Director
573-651-2105

Kirksville, MO
Truman State Univ Track, dorm
Susan Limestall
816-785-4847

St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Sports Com
Track, dorms
Christee Cook
314-992-0684
ccook@st-louis-cvc.com

St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Univ
Dorms ($10-35/day)
Matt Weaver
314-977-3975

Nebraska

Crawford, NB
Ft Robinson St Park
Cabins ($30/night)
Jim Lemmon
308-665-2903

Omaha, NB
Univ of Nebraska
Track
Mike Kult
kult@cw.s.unomaha.edu

New York

Buffalo, NY
University of Buffalo
2 Tracks
Ed Michael
716-645-6871

Long Island, NY
Lomg Island Sports
Track
Regoma Zarra
516-951-3440x315

North Carolina

Boone, NC
Appalachain St Univ
Track, dorms
Joe Carter
704-262-2100

Charlotte, NC
Univ of North Carolina
Track, dorms
Mary Davis
704-57-2883

Durham, NC
Durham Vistors Bureau
11 Tracks
Lenore Donaldson
919-687-0288
lenore@durham-cvb.com

Ohio

Athens, OH
Ohio University
Track, dorms
Dr. Davis Carr
614-593-4651

Berea, OH
Baldwin Wallace
Rec Center
Track, dorms
Dr. Tim Miller
216-826-2286

Columbus, OH
Ohio State Univ
Track, dorms
Bryan Harris
614-292-7671

Tennessee

Knoxville, TN
Univ of Tennessee
Track, dorm
Harold Denton
423-974-1894

Memphis, TN
Memphis Sports Auth.
Track, dorms
Ross Bartow
901-543-5319

Texas

Beaumont, TX
Lamar University
Track
Steve Bivins
409-880-2306
bivinsa@hal.lamar.edu

College Station, Tx
Bryan-College Station Visitors Bureau
3 Tracks
Dick Forester
409-260-9898

Utah

Ephraim, UT
Snow College
5200 ft altitude
Dorms ($9/night)
Ken Beazer
801-283-7020

Logan, UT
Utah State Univ
Track
801-797-1504

Virginia

Harrisonburg, VA
James Madison Univ
Track, dorms
Mitch Nettesheim
540-568-8216

West Virginia

Morgantown, WV
West VA Univ
Dana Brooks
304-293-3295
Indoor/outdoor tracks

Huntington, WV
Marshall Univ
Track, dorms
Thomas Lovins
304-966-2942
lovinst@marshall.edu

Probably one of the most difficult transitions for the post-collegian is changing their racing approach from a national one to an international one. As a US collegian, athletes are focusing on peaking in April and May (Penn Relays and NCAA), whereas to make it to the international level they have to look at the World Championship and Olympic calendars.

- World Cross Country is in March
- Grand Prix Track runs from June through September
- A variety of other international events and championships occur throughout the year.

Getting into meets, especially in Europe, takes efforts long in advance and takes strong support from a coach or agent. That person has to be willing and able to call on your behalf and structure your racing so that they have something to show to get you in. Early European races with good marks can help open doors later in the season.

To enlist an agent, contact USATF (317-261-0500) for its booklet "Agents - A Manual for Athletes" or Road Race Management for its publication listing agents.

Getting Onto US Teams

The United States sponsors a number of National Teams of which qualifying for and competing on are sure steps in the development of an athlete. The US sponsors teams for the following events -

- Olympic Games, Every four years, three athletes per event who make the A standard, or the top athlete in an event with a B standard. The US Olympic trials is the vehicle used to make this team.

- World Championships of Track (includes World Championship Marathon), every

non-Olympic year. Same A/B system with US National Championships as the selection method.

- World Cross Country Championships (every March). Men's teams for 4k and 12k and women's teams of 4k and 8k are selected by finish at the US National Championship in February.

- World Half Marathon Championships (every October) A team of five is selected based on finish at US National 1/2 Marathon or yearly rankings.

- Ekiden Relay Teams - Six-stage team road relay. Selection is based on yearly rankings and availability. For consideration for these teams, send a resume and letter of interest to Men's LDR Chair Danny Grimes (755 N. 10th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201; Phone: (208) 234 - 1368) and Women's LDR Chair Carol McLatchie (8618 Birdwood, Houston, TX 77074 Phone: (713) 777 6840).

- Additional Track Meets vs. Other Countries - From time to time the US will compete against another country in a dual meet. Selection is based on yearly rankings and availability. Send resume and letter of interest to above chairs.

Tips to help you qualify for US National teams are:
- Put your name and address on USATF's International Competition Elite Athlete List.
- Run big races against good competitors.
- Get some good marks on the track and roads.
- Race in US National Championships for cross country, indoor & outdoor track, as well road races.
- Do not go to an event as an invited runner if you are sick or injured and let the race director know as soon as possible.
- To enhance your visibility as a possible invited athlete, contact Road Race Management about a free listing in their annual "Guide to Prize Money Races and Elite Athletes. (4904 Glen Cove Pkwy., Bethesda, MD 20816, (301) 320-6865)

USATF National 5K Championship AADP - The Association Athlete Development Program is sponsored by USATF's Women's Long Distance Running and provides lodging and expenses for many developing local athletes to compete in the US National 5K road championship in May. Men's LDR is looking into a similar program. Contact LeeAnn Meyer at 612-770-8453 for more information.

Prize Money Races - Listings of races offering prize money can be found in numerous publications. Check out USATF's On the Road, Running Times Magazine, the Running Journal, or order the Guide to Prize Money Races and Elite Athletes at 4904 Glen Cove Pkwy, Bethesda, MD 20816.

There are a few programs being initiated that can aid developing athletes with anything from financial support to training groups and coaching. As of the printing of this guide, not all of them have been fully realized. Call the listed contact for more information including athlete eligibility.

USATF Men's and Women's Developmental Committees - USATF currently provides grants to selected elites to train with a specific event group in a selected site. Contact USATF at 1-800-868-8184 for the name of the committee chairman for distance development.

Road Runners' Club's Road Scholar Program - RRCA provides cash stipends of $4000 for living and training expenses to four emerging elite road racers annually. For more information or an application contact RRCA at 1150 S Washington, Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22314 or (703) 836-0558.

Race Results Weekly American Prize Money - RRW is providing course record prize money for races featuring U.S.-only prize money. Contact RRW for more information at rrweekly@juno.com

USATF Elite Development Clubs - USATF hopes to designate a number of pre-existing USATF clubs around the country as Elite Development Clubs. These clubs would be able to provide coaching, training groups, facilities and/or possibly travel money to races. For more information on this program contact Dave Oja at 315-446-6285.

USATF Regional Development Sites - USATF hopes to persuade a number of athletically successful colleges and institutions to provide room and board, coaching and facilities to a select number of elite distance runners. This would, in essence, be a grant to train. This program is currently being developed.

NAIA Regional Training Sites - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is pursuing a grant from the USOC to finance post-collegiate athletes to live at NAIA universities and train with NAIA collegians. The NAIA does not have regulations barring post-collegians from the helpful practice and hopes to name a number of institutions as USOC Training Sites. For more information, contact Scott Simmons at 1-800-WIN-RAMS or xcscott@gulftel.com.

Life University's International Training Institute - Life University in Atlanta, GA is interested in becoming a USATF Regional Development Site. They are currently working on providing a number of training grants to elite Americans. Life offers a great facility and the opportunity to train with visiting athletes from around the world. For more information contact Mike Spino at 770-426-2928.