USA Track & Field · The National Governing Body for Track & Field, Long Distance Running and Race Walking

 To:                  USATF Association LDR Committee Contacts

From:              Joe Lanzalotto,   Women’s LDR AADP Coordinator,
                         Will Lindgren,   Women’s LDR Championships Chair,
                         Brian Jones,   Men’s LDR AADP Coordinator,
                         Bob Latham & Scott Simmons,   Men’s LDR Championships Co-Chairs

Date:               January 24, 2008
RE: 2008 Men’s and Women’s LDR Association Athlete Development Program

The goal of the Association Athlete Development Program (AADP) is to assist in the development of the next generation of GREAT American distance runners. The AADP has been a vital part of USATF since 1993.  It is a program which enables Associations and Men’s and Women’s LDR Committees to work collaboratively to provide emerging elite athletes the ability to experience much needed competition at the National level. The Olympic Marathon Trials have included many former AADP participants.  The recent success of our distance squads in international competition has shown that guidance and support of our developing runners is integral to this success.

Associations’ Role
Associations are encouraged to “bid” on securing one of the available slots for one (or more) of the AADP events.  With a limited number of AADP slots at each event it is important that you submit your Association’s application for the Gate River Run by February 4 and for the 5^th/3^rd River Bank 25K by February 15, 2008.  Both WLDR and MLDR have 2^nd deadlines of July 1 for races in the second half of the year.  Part of the application process will require your Association to indicate how you will select your athlete and what financial support your Association will provide to the athlete.  Slot assignments will be awarded February 29, 2008.  The Championship races want the best possible athletes to be part of this program. Your Association’s bid should be for the event in which you have the best chance to select an athlete capable of running at the faster end of the selection criteria. Your selected athlete should have this presented to them not as a free trip, but as an opportunity to experience running at the next level.

Selecting an Athlete – Each Association determines which selection process will work best in their local area.  The aim is to find the process that will identify a local elite athlete who has the potential to reach the next level in their running career.

Each USATF Association is encouraged to designate an Association Championship race as their selection race, with the first man or woman meeting the AADP criteria eligible for partial funding to run in the USATF National Championship events.  The Associations are encouraged to match the event’s stipend or cover airfare and/or other transportation expenses.

If your Association does not hold a championship race, you are encouraged to designate another highly competitive race or Grand Prix series as your athlete selection event.  Advertise the event in the local running magazines and newspapers as early as possible to help inform the running community and athletes.  If this still does not fit your Association, use the media to post the selection criteria and ask athletes to contact the Association Coordinator with race times and athlete information.  Rank the athletes and select from these applications.

You are encouraged to be creative to help with travel funds for your selected athletes.  If sufficient Association funds are not available, network through the LDR clubs or area businesses for travel assistance.  The chance to travel to a National Championship provides excellent opportunities to meet new people and test athletic skills against the best athletes in the United States.  The experience is one that is not to be missed.

 

Women       Joe Lanzalotto     46 Eastern Drive     Kendall Park, NJ 08824     732-821-7076     J.Lanza@verizon.net

 Men     Brian Jones      1407 14^th NW     Canton, Ohio 44703     330-284-4307     brian.jones@delphi.com

 

2008 AADP Events
The following events will participate in the 2008 AADP.  Each has committed to providing a certain level of funding to athletes selected by you – the Association – to compete at their race:
Women’s Events
 

Race	Championship	Date	AADP slots	AADP Package	Deadline for Naming Athlete
Gate River Run Jacksonville, FL	USA 15km	March 8	5	*$150 travel stipend, shared room for 2 nights, ground transportation, meals, waived entry fee, Elite Athlete status.	Feb 4
5th/3rdRiverBank Grand Rapids, MI	USA 25 km	May 10	6	*$150 travel stipend, shared room for 2 nights, ground transportation, meals, waived entry fee, Elite Athlete status.	April 1
CVS/Downtown Providence, RI	USA 5 km	Sept. 21	3	Apply directly to event, c.breagy@att.net	Aug 1
Akron 8K, Akron OH	USA 8K	Sept. 28	3	*$150 travel stipend, shared room for 2 nights, ground transportation, meals, waived entry fee, Elite Athlete status.	Aug 10
Twin Cities Mpls/St Paul, MN	USA 10 Mile	Oct.  5	3	*$150 travel stipend, shared room for 2 nights, ground transportation, meals, waived entry fee, Elite Athlete status.	Aug 20
Tuffs Health Plan Boston, MA	USA 10 km	Oct. 13	6	*$150 travel stipend, shared room for 2 nights, ground transportation, meals, waived entry fee, Elite Athlete status.	Aug 27
Houston Half Marathon	USA Half Marathon	Jan 18, 2009	6	*$150 travel stipend, shared room for 2 nights, ground transportation, meals, waived entry fee, Elite Athlete status.	Nov 20

 

Men’s Events

Race	Championship	Date	AADP slots	AADP Package	Deadline for Naming Athlete
Gate River Run Jacksonville, FL	USA 15 km	March 8	5	*Hotel, Entry Fee, Ground transportation Elite Athlete Status, $150 Stipend	Feb 4
5th/3rd River Bank Grand Rapids, MI	USA 25 km	May 10	6	*Hotel, Entry Fee, Ground Transportation Elite Athlete Status, $150 travel stipend	April 1
CVS/Downtown 5 Providence, RI	USA 5 km	Sept. 21	3	Apply directly to event, c.breagy@att.net	Aug 1
Twin Cities Marathon Mpls/St Paul, MN	USA Marathon	Oct.  5	3	*Hotel, Entry Fee, Ground Transportation Elite Athlete Status, $150 travel stipend	July 15
Houston Half Houston, TX	USA Men’s 1/2 Marathon	Jan  18, 2009	6	*Hotel, Entry Fee, Ground Transportation Elite Athlete Status, $150 Stipend	Nov 25

* Hotel rooms will be double occupancy - athletes will be assigned a roommate

 

These USA Championship events represent an incredible opportunity for the developing athlete.  The chance to toe the line with some of America’s best, as well as other up and coming runners gives the AADP athlete a new insight into the sport as well as their own competitive careers.  Please take full advantage of these events. 

 

Eligibility – Please note that the time standards have been tightened from previous years

In order for the athletes to be eligible, they must:

 

1)      Have a 2008 USATF membership, 2) Be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 15-32, 3) Have met one of the following times:

 

Women                                                                 
 5 km                                      16:20-18:00

 8 km                                      26:45-29:10

10 km                                    34:00-37:45

15 km                                    52:00-56:35

10 Mile                                  55:00-1:00:50

20 km                                    1:01:50-1:16:15

Half Marathon                      1:14:00-1:21:00 

Marathon                              2:40:00-2:55:00

Men

 5 km                                      15:10 or better

 8 km                                      25:00 or better

10 km                                    31:00 or better

15 km                                    48:50 or better

10 Mile                                  52:50 or better

20 km                                    1:06:25 or better

Half Marathon                      1:08:00 or better

Marathon                              2:25:00