Opportunity stands to take down American road 5k record prior to U.S. Olympic Team Trials

CARLSBAD, CA (March 27, 2008) -- After breaking Steve Scott's quarter-century old American mile record last summer in Brasschaat, Belgium, 25-year-old Alan Webb will have an opportunity to take down San Diego native Marc Davis' 1996 American road 5k record of 13:24, also set at the Carlsbad 5000. Webb has chosen to open his 2008 Spring campaign in Carlsbad as he prepares for an Olympic bid. The Southern California race, set for Sunday, April 6, 2008, was made famous by Scott 23 years ago as both the course designer and champion of the first three events.

"I'm really looking forward to my first trip out to Carlsbad," said Webb, a Reston, Virginia native. "I've always heard about what a great course and event it is, and how fast people have run there. Plus, Steve Scott has been something of a mentor to me over the years, and to run on a course he designed and won on three times just makes it that much more special."

In this Olympic year Webb is gearing toward the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track Field set for Eugene, OR in June, and the early season road 5k will plays well into his Olympic timing.

"I'm in good form," Webb confirmed. "Carlsbad fits my schedule perfectly this year."

Webb first gained national acclaim when he smashed Jim Ryun's legendary 36-year-old American high school mile record in 2001 (3:53.43). Since then he has steadily moved up the ranks of the world's top middle distance runners. In 2006, Webb ran the fastest-ever debut by an American at 10,000 meters (27:34.72), winning at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Stanford University. For calendar year 2007, Webb ran the fastest mile (3:46.91), fastest 1500 meters (3:30:54), and second best 800 meters (1:43.84) in the world.

"This is the greatest thing to ever happen to the Carlsbad 5000," said Scott, who broadcasts the Carlsbad 5000 for FSN. "More than any world record, to have a top American competing here in peak physical shape, prepping for the Olympics is a testament to the quality of this race and the outstanding performances that have been staged here in the past. Regardless of the time, it will be world news how he does here."

On race day in Carlsbad, Webb will have plenty of world-class company.

Returning to the Carlsbad 5000 is 2006 champion Abreham Cherkos Feleke, 19, from Ethiopia, who recently finished third in the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Track and Field Championship 3000 meters in Valencia, Spain. Also on hand will be Bonface Songok, 27, Kenya, the 2004 Carlsbad runner up, and countryman, Shadrack Kosgei, 24, who finished third in 2005.

-- ELITE ATHLETE LIST FOLLOWS --

23rd Annual Carlsbad 5000 Race Weekend Race weekend kicks off with the Spenco Insoles Junior Carlsbad on Saturday, April 5. Nearly 4,500 kids ages 12 and under will take part in a variety of age appropriate races. All racers receive a T-shirt, goodie bag and finisher's medal for their efforts. Awards will be presented to the top three junior athletes ages five-12. Registration is only $22 for those who sign-up before March 30. Families can register online at www.eliteracing.com.

On Sunday, April 6, the Carlsbad 5000 will attract many competitive runners from around the country and the world, as well as a strong group of walkers. Race day begins at 7:05 a.m. with the first of nine races. The main event, featuring the world's fastest professional athletes, begins at 12:15 p.m. Race fans can expect a strong attack at the world's best times from the emerging field.

A free Health Fitness Expo takes place on race weekend, on Saturday, April 5 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday, April 6 from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Expo will serve as Carlsbad 5000 race registration headquarters on Saturday starting at 10 a.m., allowing participants to pick up their race number, timing chip, t-shirt and goodie bag. The interactive Expo, located on Roosevelt Street between Grand and Carlsbad Village Drive, will display running apparel and shoes, fitness gear, and health and nutrition items.

For more information or to register for the Carlsbad 5000 and the Spenco Insoles Junior Carlsbad, visit www.eliteracing.com or call (800) 311-1255.

In addition, Elite Racing also produces the Carlsbad 5000. Known as the "world's fastest 5k," the Carlsbad 5000 is home to 16 world best times at the 3.1-mile distance and welcomes over 10,000 runners and walkers to the streets of Carlsbad, Calif. annually.

2008 Carlsbad 5000 Elite Athlete List as of March 27, 2008 (t) = Time on track

MEN
Name, Age, Country, Best, Fact/Comment
1. Alan Webb, 24, USA (VA), 13:46.31(t), American Record in the mile, 2004, '05, '07 USA Outdoor 1,500m Champion, 2007 USA Indoor Mile Champion
2. Abreham Cherkos Feleke, 19, ETH, 12:54.19(t), 1st 2006 Carlsbad 5000, 2nd 2006 World Jr. Championships 5,000m
3. Michael Aish, 30, NZL, 13:22.64(t), 1st 2008 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona, 7th 2006 8th '02 Commonwealth Games 10,000m
4. Shadrack Kosgei, 24, KEN, 13:01.06(t), 3rd 2005 Carlsbad 5000, 2nd 2008 IAAF Grand Prix Melbourne 5,000m
5. Boniface Songok, 27, KEN, 12:55, 2nd 2004 Carlsbad 5000, 2nd IAAF Grand Prix Melbourne 5,000m
6. Mo Farah, 25, GBR, 13:07.00(t), 1st 2006 European Cross Country Championships, 2nd 2006 European Championships in Athletics 5,000m
7. Collis Birmingham, 22, AUS, 13:27.31(t), 3rd 2006 5,000m National Championships, 2nd 2006 1,500m National Championships
8. Terefe Maregu Zewdie, 24, ETH, 13:06.39(t), 1st 2004 African Championships, 3rd 2004 IAAF World XC Championships
9. Ibrahim Jeilan Gashu, 19, ETH, 13:09.38(t), 4th 2006 Carlsbad 5000, 1st 2006 Track Field World Jr. Championships 10,000m
10. Ian Dobson, 25, USA (CA), 13:15.33(t), 2nd 2005 USA Outdoor Championships 5,000m, 2nd 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships 5,000m
11. Steve Slattery, 27, USA (CO), 13:36.03(t), 1st 2008 Seattle Indoor Meeting 3,000m, 2nd 2006 USATF Championships 3,000m
12. Nick Bromley, 25, AUS, N/A, 1st 2006 National Championships 800m, 6th 2006 Commonwealth Games 800m

WOMEN
Name, Age, Country, Best, Fact/Comment
1. Everlyne Lagat, 27, KEN, 16:17, 3rd 2007 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Jose, 2nd 2007 St. John's Santa Monica 5k
2. Sara Slattery, 26, USA (CO) , 15:08.32(t), 1st 2008 Seattle Indoor Meeting 5,000m, 1st 2007 Pan-Am Games 10,000m, 1st 2006 Bolder Boulder 10k
3. Kathy Butler, 33, GBR, 15:05.51(t), 1st 2005 British Championships 10,000m, 3rd 2006 Philadelphia Distance Run, 1st 2007 West End 3k
4. Kassi Andersen, 25, USA (UT), 15:57.60(t), 3-time XC All American at BYU, 4-time All American Track 5,000m 3k Steeplechase at BYU
5. Jane Kibii, 22, KEN, N/A, 10th 2007 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon San Jose
6. Rose Kosgei, 26, KEN, 15:54, 4th 2006 Kenya Championships 5,000m, 1st 2007 Seagate Elite 5k San Jose
7. Vivian Cheruiyot, 25, KEN, 14:22.59(t), 1st 2007 Glasgow Grand Prix 5,000m, 2007 Kenyan 5,000m Champion, 1st 2007 IAAF World Athletics Final 5,000m
8. Mardrea Hyman, 34, JAM, 16:02.00(t), 2005 '08 Jamaican World Championship Team, Jamaican Central America/Caribbean 3,000m Steeplechase Record Holder
9. Korene Hinds, 31, JAM, N/A, Specialty 3000m Steeplechase
10. Mandi Zemba, USA (MI), 15:38, 8th 2007 Crim 10 Miler, 2006 DII National 3k 5k Champion
11. Genovava Kigen, KEN, N/A, 1st 2008 Crescent City Classic, 1st 2006 Medio Maraton Int'l Ciudad De Medellin Columbia, 1st 2005 Gran Half Maraton Pacifico Mexico (CR)

2008 Carlsbad 5000 Prize Purse - Over $67,000

ELITE MEN WOMEN
1. $5,000
2. $3,500
3. $2,000
4. $1,000 v 5. $800
6. $700
7. $500
8. $400
9. $300
10. $200

AMERICAN RECORD BONUS
$5,000

WORLD RECORD BONUS
$10,000

MASTER'S OPEN
Men Women
1. $1,000
2. $500
3. $200

WHEELCHAIR INVITATIONAL
Men Women
1. $700
2. $400
3. $300

WHEELCHAIR WORLD RECORD BONUS
$1,000