FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Injury Forces Ritzenhein Out of Central Park Challenge
New York, March 12, 2008 — Dathan Ritzenhein has withdrawn from a match-up
against long-standing rival and fellow Olympian Alan Webb at the Central
Park Challenge on Saturday, March 15, with a foot injury, it was announced
today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
Ritzenhein, 25, of Eugene, OR, told race organizers that he has an injury
to the third metatarsal of his left foot and felt it was smarter not to
take any chances with his spot at the Olympics later this summer in
Beijing, which he secured by finishing second at the U.S. Olympic Team,
Trials – Men's Marathon race last fall in Central Park.
"I am disappointed that I won't be able to come back to Central Park to
compete in the Central Park Challenge," said Ritzenhein. "I had a very
similar injury at this time last year, and was able to train through it on
the Alter-G treadmill, but I feel I need to be completely healthy before
starting my buildup for the [Beijing Olympic] Games."
"We share Dathan's disappointment, but fully support his decision and
desire to leave nothing to chance this year," said Wittenberg. "This is the
nature of our sport—half the battle is getting to the starting line.
Fortunately, our field is deep and, in some ways, the race just got more
interesting. Guaranteed, we will see some breakthrough performances."
Webb, the American mile record-holder, and Jorge Torres headline the men's
race, and Shalane Flanagan, Carrie Tollefson, and Katie McGregor are the
leading contenders in the women's race. Both races will be contested over
the 8K (4.97-mile) distance, with a total prize-money purse of $70,000 on
the line.
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