Allan Steinfeld Development Award Winner Announced at Running USA 2011 – Selected training group to be presented and feted during the Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction on February 14

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – (February 6, 2011) – At Running USA 2011: The Industry Conference, Running USA will present the second Allan Steinfeld Development Award during the Hall of Champions Dinner and Live Auction on Monday, February 14 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, Texas. The annual $25,000 grant goes to a top U.S. training group.

"At our conference, we look forward to honoring and supporting another worthy U.S. training group with the Allan Steinfeld Development Award. Since our inception in March 1999, part of Running USA's mission has included athlete development and this award continues that proud tradition," said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.

The development award is named after Allan Steinfeld, a long-time leader in the sport, who jump-started the U.S. distance running resurgence when as head of the New York Road Runners he allocated $20,000 seed money ($1 per U.S. entry at the 2000 New York City Marathon) for the development program Team USA Distance Running launched in November 2000 that produced training groups such as Team Running USA (two Olympic medals in 2004 and major marathon wins) and Team USA Minnesota and inspired others.

There were four training group finalists for 2011 funding, and at its annual conference, Running USA will award $25,000 from its live and silent auction proceeds to one training group who will be represented and celebrated at the Running USA Hall of Champions dinner.

One of the following U.S. distance training groups will be the second recipient of the annual award: Bay Area Track Club, NJ-NY Track Club, Team USA Arizona or ZAP Fitness.

Last year's recipient of the inaugural Allan Steinfeld Development Award was Team USA Minnesota, who in 2010 won four USA road titles and both USA Running Circuit grand prix crowns (Antonio Vega and Katie McGregor).

For more information on the training group award or to register for Running USA 2011, go to: RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org