But what makes Gate River Run unique is the strength of the elite field – year in and year out.

Designated as the USATF National Championship for 15k, Gate River Run annually attracts one of the strongest fields in all of road racing. Both the men’s and women’s American records for 15k were set on the Gate River Run course. The race awards prize money only to American runners, something that sets it apart from some of the other races, whose leader board is filled with foreigners.

For 2009, our combined prize money purse of $85,000 is, we believe, the largest US prize money purse of any “non-marathon” road race in the US this year.

Team Competition

The race has always changed with time and added new twists to the competitive structure. Several years ago, The “Equalizer Bonus” was added, which awards an additional $5,000 to the first finisher – male or female – with the women’s elite field given a five minute head start.

New to 2009, we have added an elite team competition – which will award $20,000 in additional prize money spread among the top 3 men’s and women’s teams. This competition is sponsored and fully funded by JTC Running and the trophy – to be presented annually – will be named the TenBroeck Cup - -in honor of John TenBroeck, long-timer member of the club and tireless volunteer who passed away last fall. The trophy will reside permanently in The Gate River Run Hall of Fame in the Riverplace Tower building, with the names of the men’s and women’s teams etched on the plaque each year.

The announcement of this competition in December was immediately well-received by athletes, coaches and agents and has resulted in a flurry of competitors flocking to our race this year.

The team competition will consist of 3 scoring runners (cross-country style) and will award $6,000, $3,000 and $1,000 to the top 3 teams respectively for men and women. We have already received commitments from Hansons, McMillan Elite, ZAP Fitness, Team USA Minnesota, Indiana Elite, Strands, among others.

Although we sometimes experience last-minute cancellations by the elite runners, at the time of this writing, we have the following look to our elite field….

Women’s Field

• Five women that competed in the Beijing Olympics
• 10 of the top 11 fastest US marathoners in 2008
• Four of the top 5 women’s finishers in the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials
• The 3 fastest women’s half-marathoners in 2008 (and 7 of the top 10)
• 13 of the 20 fastest US women over 10,000 meters in 2008
• Nine women that have run under 32:00 for 10,000 meters
• 16 women that have run under 33:00 for 10,000 meters

Men’s Field

• Six men that competed in the Beijing Olympics
• The six fastest US marathoners of 2008
• 14 of the 15 fastest 10,000 meter runners of 2008
• 19 of the top 20 finishers in the Olympic Trials 10,000 meters
• Nine of the top 14 finishers in the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon
• 13 men who have run under 28:00 for 10,000 meters
• 27 men who have run under 28:30 for 10,000 meters

We think this year’s competitive race will be truly spectacular and could likely go down as the most competitive American field at any road race in 2009.

The addition of the TenBroeck Cup is surely an addition that has cemented the race on the map of the elite American runners.

Please make certain to try to attend the awards ceremony at this year’s race. It will be a “who’s who” of the champions of American running. The presentation of the first ever winners of the TenBroeck Cup should prove an exciting moment – and an emotional moment for all of those who fondly remember John.

We cannot think of a better way to honor John and his devotion to JTC Running.

Likewise, it is an excellent way for JTC Running to add their stamp to an already world-class event.