Injury Forces Defending Champion Ritzenhein Out of Healthy Kidney 10K

NEW YORK  – Defending champion and course record holder Dathan Ritzenhein has withdrawn from the Healthy Kidney 10K, a New York Road Runners race scheduled for Saturday, May 17, in Central Park. He is suffering from a lingering foot injury that has sidelined him for the past 13 weeks.

Ritzenhein, 25, of Eugene, OR, told race organizers that the injury to the third metatarsal of his left foot, which he sustained at the USA Cross Country Championships in February, has persisted; Ritzenhein won that race, and has not competed since. In November 2007, Ritzenhein qualified to represent the United States in the men's marathon at the Olympic Games in Beijing on August 24.

"We're very disappointed not to be able to return to New York for the Healthy Kidney 10K," Ritzenhein said on a conference call. "With a whole array of ailments, it hasn't come together in time for me to take on the great field that's been assembled for the race. Knowing that it might set back my preparation [for Beijing], it was with regret that we made the decision to withdraw."

Ritzenhein said he will use the next three weeks to build up to full training volume and intensity. He then plans to begin a 12-week marathon training regimen. Although he will run the 10,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field in Eugene on July 4, he said he definitely will run the marathon at the Olympic Games.

"Dathan is a mega-talent and he deserves the chance to maximize his opportunity to get himself in the best possible shape for Beijing," said Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. "We are in full support of his decision."

The Healthy Kidney 10K field features ING New York City Marathon 2006 champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, 2007 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships silver medalist Patrick Makau of Kenya and Americans Andrew Carlson of Bloomington, MN, Jason Hartmann of Eugene, OR and Josh Moen of Readlyn, IA.

Race sponsor Embassy of the United Arab Emirates has established a prize-money purse of $23,500 – including $7 500 for the champion – plus a $20,000 bonus for breaking the Central Park 10K record of 28 minutes, 8 seconds, which Ritzenhein set at last year's race.

For more race information, visit: NYRR.org

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232
Ryan@RunningUSA.org | www.RunningUSA.org