For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org

ST. LOUIS AWARDED 2012 AND 2013
USA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

NATIONAL EVENT TO BRING OLYMPIC HOPEFULS TO FOREST PARK

            ST. LOUIS – April 7, 2011 – One of the most prestigious national running events is coming to
St. Louis.  USA Track & Field awarded the 2012 and 2013 USA Cross Country Championships to the region today.  The Championships will take place in Forest Park on Feb. 11, 2012 and Feb. 9, 2013.  Forest Park was the site of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials in 2004. 

The St. Louis Sports Commission and Big River Running Company submitted the region’s bid for the Championships.  Both entities will serve as hosts for the event, which will draw more than 600 athletes to St. Louis, including many of the nation’s elite and Olympic runners. 

“I can’t wait to bring the national running community here to St. Louis to show everyone what a great running town this is,” said Ben Rosario, co-owner of Big River Running Company.  “The races bring together the best runners at so many different distances.  With the spectators always right next to the athletes cheering, it will be a great atmosphere.” 

The 2012 and 2013 events will consist of six men’s and women’s cross country championship races.  National titles will be on the line for masters, junior and open divisions with $35,000 in prize money at stake.  The top runners in St. Louis will represent Team USA in international competition.

“We are thrilled to host a cross country championship of this caliber,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito.  “It was very meaningful for St. Louis to host the U.S. Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials in 2004, and we are excited to partner with Big River Running Company to deliver another exceptional running event to the community in 2012 and 2013.”

The awarding of the USA Cross Country Championships adds to a packed St. Louis sports calendar in the first half of next year.  The region has been selected to host three other major events: the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional in March, and the USA Gymnastics Visa Championships in June.  The Wrestling Championships take place at Scottrade Center, the Regional at the Edward Jones Dome and the Gymnastics Championships at Chaifetz Arena. 

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit
organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.

Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.

- www.stlsports.org -