Men’s LDR Executive Committee Version 1.0

USA TRACK & FIELD MEN’S LONG DISTANCE RUNNING COMMITTEE

Executive Committee Minutes Anaheim, California Tuesday, December 2, 2014 3:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

Attendees: Executive Committee Members: Edwardo Torres (Chair), Mark Winitz (Secretary), Phil Greenwald (Treasurer), Allan Steinfeld

Guests: Bill Roe (LDR Division Chair), Bob Latham (MLDR Championships Subcommittee Chair), Blake Bolden, John Carlson, Marshall Cowell, John Elliott, Neale Johantgen (USATF technology coordinator), Vin Lananna, Christo Landry, Gene Newman, Bob Platt, Duane Russell, Al Siddons, Joe Vigil, Matt Weingardt (USATF Events Manager)

The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m. by MLDR Committee Chair Edwardo Torres.

Agenda/Minutes: The Secretary asked if there were any additions to the agenda and there were none. He then requested that the Executive Committee approve the committee’s minutes from the 2013 Annual Meeting. They were approved.

Men’s LDR Primary Mission and Goals: The Chair stated the goals of the MLDR Executive Committee: (a) to focus on high level performance and make Olympians, (2) to focus on the USA Circuit (national LDR championship series) to help support our elite and emerging elite athletes competitively and financially. The Chair encouraged folks to suggest and submit possible championship bids to Bob Latham (MLDR Championships Subcommittee Chair).

2014 USA Road Running Circuit/Championships Review/2015 Preview: Mr. Latham prefaced his comments by saying that will be recognized as USATF’s 2014 Jesse Owens/Male Athlete of the Year Award winner at the Annual Meeting’s Jesse Owens Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, December 4. He also announced that Christo Landry, the 2014 USA Road Running Circuit overall male champion, will receive special recognition at the ceremony.

A highlight of the 2014 circuit, among many fine performances, was the fact that the top seven men at the .US 12K Championships all ran faster than ’s U.S. 12K record of 34:26 set in 1989. Brian Shrader led the men’s field in 34:11. The 2014 championships circuit, composed of 11 national championships, awarded an unprecedented $323,800 total prize purse to U.S. men.

Mr. Latham then previewed the 2015 USA Road Running Circuit (national road championships). (See the Men’s LDR General Sessions minutes of 12/2/2014 for the 2015 circuit calendar.)

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USA International Teams (roads and cross country) – 2014 Review: (See the Men’s LDR General Sessions minutes of 12/2/2014 for this report.)

Team USA Opportunities and Selection Criteria in 2015: Bill Roe reported that the selection of Team USA members for the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country (January 10, 2015 Edinburgh, Scotland) will be partially determined from results at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships (December 13, 2014). (See the Men’s LDR General Sessions minutes of 12/2/2014 for more 2015 Team USA opportunities and selection procedures.)

2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Update: (See the Men’s LDR General Sessions minutes of 12/2/2014 for this report.)

2014 USATF Bylaws and Regulations Amendment Proposals: (See the Men’s LDR General Sessions minutes of 12/2/2014 for this report.)

2014 Men’s LDR Committee Awards: Secretary Mark Winitz acknowledged the work of the MLDR Awards Subcommittee members (Jim Peterson, Patrick Rizzo, Tomy Sitton, Mark Winitz) and announced the 2014 award winners selected by MLDR:

Robert E. DeCelle, Jr. Memorial Award (Male Long Distance Runner of the Year Christo Landry

H. Long Distance Running Merit Award (National Level) Contributor) Frank Gagliano

Scott Hamilton Award (Association Level Contributor) Tom Derderian (New England Association)

Allan Steinfeld Award (Contributor of the Year Within a Road Race Organization) John Tolbert (New Haven Road Race)

Miscellaneous Business: Eugene Marathon/Tracktown USA: Vin Lananna announced that the Eugene Marathon (May 10, 2015) is partnering with Tracktown USA in pursuit of qualifying as many athletes as possible for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Their objective is to create a connection between the road running community and track community. Suggestions are welcome about how they can assist elite and emerging elite athletes. Contact Ian Dobson (elite athlete coordinator) at [email protected]

Training Group Grants: Bill Roe reported that USATF will match a $25,000 Running USA grant for athlete support via training groups. Applications are being sent out this week to every known training group. Running USA will select the grant recipients.

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Officials for 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials: The selection procedures for the USATF Referee and Jury of Appeal for the Marathon Trials are being determined, and will be announced, via a combined Men’s/Women’s LDR committee task group.

Team Member No-Shows for USA International Teams: A question was raised regarding whether a “red flag list” is kept of Team USA members who are selected for international teams—but “do not show” for the race. Another question was raised regarding how we handle these situations. Black list these athletes from future international teams? MLDR Chair Edwardo Torres will address with the USATF national office.

Chair Edwardo Torres adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

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