Minneapolis/St. Paul - Dec. 6, 2010 - Team USA Minnesota's Katie McGregor was named Women's Long Distance Runner of the Year and Antonio Vega was recognized as the Men's Long Distance Runner of the Year at the 2010 USA Track & Field Convention in Virginia Beach.  The two received their awards at an Awards Breakfast on Dec. 4.

McGregor and Vega both had an outstanding year of competitive performances during 2010 with each winning the female and male divisions of the USA Running Circuit, and setting personal bests on the roads in the process.  In addition, McGregor won three national championships - 10 mile, 15k and 25k - to add to the four she had from previous years, and Vega won his first national championship by securing the win in the half marathon.  In the marathon, McGregor notched a personal best of 2:31:01 at the ING New York City Marathon to finish second in the USA Women's Marathon Championship, and Vega posted a best of 2:13:47 at the Boston Marathon.

"I am so proud of this award," said McGregor, who has been a member of Team USA Minnesota since 2001.  "The depth of talented American female distance runners just keeps growing and to be recognized out of this group is amazing.  It turned out to be a great year overall.  I gave my best efforts just like I do every year.

"Minnesota was well represented (at the Awards Breakfast).  I believe we took home five awards total.  The Twin Cities running community is so supportive and with the help of our sponsors and board, we have one of the best training centers in the country.  Team USA Minnesota is helping to build a rich tradition of success and I am so grateful to be part of the group."

Vega, who joined Team USA Minnesota in 2007, had a breakout year in 2010.  "This truly is a great honor to be recognized as the long distance runner of the year," he said.  "Starting off the year winning the USA Half Marathon Championship is always a good way to start the year.  To be as consistent as I was throughout the entire year was really a big surprise.  Without the support of Team USA Minnesota, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish any of the results that I had this year.

"When you start talking to other athletes at the USATF Convention, you realize how good of a situation the athletes on Team USA Minnesota have it.  With having the type of support that Team USA provides, we are all able to focus and accomplish the goals that we set for ourselves."

Both athletes were attending the USATF Convention for the first time.  "The convention was extremely interesting," said Vega.  "I participated in all the Athlete Advisory Committee meetings and the men's LDR meeting.  It was good to see all the different types of programs that USATF is trying to put into place that will help elite athletes reach their goal of making an Olympic and world team."

McGregor also attended Athlete Advisory Committee meetings as well as women's long distance running meetings.  "The USATF Annual Convention was definitely worth the trip," she said.

About Team USA Minnesota

Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.  Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve the competitiveness of post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians.  The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.  Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness (www.lifetimefitness.com) and its silver sponsor is Twin Cities In Motion (www.mtcmarathon.org).  It is also supported by the New York Road Runners and the USA Distance Project along with a grant from Running USA.  For more information, visit the team's web site at www.teamusaminnesota.org.

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Contact:

Pat Goodwin

952-924-1081

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