RUNNING USA – St. Louis to Host 2012-13 USA Cross Country Championships – $35,000 prize purse for top U.S. harriers at 2012 event; international team selection

INDIANAPOLIS – USA Track & Field has selected St. Louis, Missouri as the host of 2012 and 2013 USA Cross Country Championships. The 2012 national championships are scheduled for Saturday, February 11, at Forest Park, the site of the 2004 U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials.

"Big River Running Company and St. Louis Sports Commission are excited to bring the Championships to St. Louis and we know our city and the people here will get behind this event," said Ben Rosario, co-owner of Big River Running Company. "The course in Forest Park is extremely spectator-friendly and the athletes will have fantastic crowd support throughout the course."

The USA Cross Country Championships are expected to draw more than 600 athletes to St. Louis, including many of the nation's top elite and Olympic runners.

The 2012 and 2013 events will consist of six cross country championship races for men's and women's categories with national titles on the line for Junior, Masters and Open divisions. The nation's premier cross country event, the USA Championships will feature $35,000 in prize money and will serve as the Trials to select the men's and women's Senior and Junior squads that will represent Team USA at the 2012 North American, Central American, Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships and the 2013 NACAC Cross Country Championships and IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

For more information on the 2012 USA Cross Country Championships, visit: www.usatf.org

RUNNING USA