Americans after the Crazy 8\'s record.

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8?s 8K Run
Crazy 8's Attracting Top Americans

7-6-06
Kingsport, TN

Ryan Sheehan and Fasil Bizuneh at 2006 Cross Country Champs

The Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8k Run is renowned for attracting top international stars to Kingsport. This year should be no exception, but the fans along the candle-lit course might also notice a good mix of red, white, and blue among the frontrunners. Race organizers announced today the commitments of six American men and two American women to compete for the Crazy 8's title and make a run for the Regional Eye Center World Record Bonus. Race date is Saturday evening, July 15.

The men are Joe Driscoll, Ed Moran, John Mortimer, Ryan Sheehan, Ryan Woods, and Fasil Bizuneh. The women are Desiree Davila and Melissa Cook.

"We're really thrilled to have such a strong group of Americans," said Hank Brown, co-event director and elite athlete recruiter. "Believe it or not, it's sometimes tougher to get the good U.S. runners than, say the Africans, to a race like Crazy 8's because the Americans are so focused on the track this time of year."

U.S. distance running has seen a renaissance the past few years, proved out by Meb Keflezighi's Olympic silver medal and Deena Kastor's bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic Marathon. Sheehan and Davila come to Crazy 8's by way of Hanson-Brooks Running, based in Rochester, MI. Sheehan is a top, young talent, only 22 years old, but has already run a 28:49 10k. Ms. Davila is also just 22 years old, recently graduated from Arizona State University where she was an All-American.

Driscoll is a product of ZAP Fitness out of nearby Blowing Rock, NC. He graduated from the University of Portland in 2002 where he was a 3-time All-American. Driscoll's personal bests are 13:48 for 5k, and 28:37 for 10k.

Fasil Bizuneh has recently moved to Bristol, VA to train with several members of the Virginia Intermont College cross country team. He has sparkling PR's of 7:53 for 3000 meters, and 13:45 for 5k. Like Davila, he competed for Arizona State during his collegiate career.

Moran is a 2003 graduate of William and Mary and still makes his home in Williamsburg, VA. He recently competed in the USA Track & Field Outdoor Track Championships, finishing 5th in the 5000 meters. He has a personal best in that event of 13:25. Moran will likely double up and run the Foot Rx Elite Men's Mile on Friday, the day before Crazy 8's.

Also doubling in the mile and 8k is Ryan Woods from Daytona Beach, FL. Woods has run 3:43.7 for 1500 meters and sub 14 for 5k.

Mortimer is in his 5th season as assistant track and cross country coach at Boston College. He is a 1999 graduate of Michigan where he was a seven-time All American with six Big-10 titles in cross country and track.

Melissa Cook recently finished 6th at the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 meter event.

Melissa Cook at 2005 USA 8k Champs

"To tell you the truth, I didn't realize we had such a strong U.S. contingent until I was putting together my list of athletes," said Brown. "This is a pretty impressive group ? All-Americans and conference champs. You never know when one of these might be the next Meb or Deena."

For more information, visit www.crazy8s.org

Sponsors are Indian Path Medical Center, SunTrust Bank, Holston Medical Group, Cardiovascular Associates, Regional Eye Center, Blue Lizard, Eastman Credit Union, REACH!, The Great Body Company, Foot Rx, Citadel Broadcasting, Oak Hill Cemetery, Culligan, Food City, and Charter Media.

VIP Sponsors are Mather Dentist Office, Mountain Region Family Medicine, Holston Medical Group, Martin Dentistry, Celebration Church, and UBS Services.

Crazy 8's is managed by We Run Events.