Feb. 20, 2006

NEW YORK --- Former University of North Carolina standout Blake Phillips Russell won the women's 8K race at the USA Cross Country Championships Saturday afternoon at the historic Van Cortlandt Park course in the Bronx. Russell's winning time of 26:47 bested runner-up Colleen De Reuck by two seconds. In addition to the title, Russell's win makes her part of the U.S. World Championships team.

One day later, Russell took third in the women's 4K in a time of 12:39 to qualify for that World Championships team as well. The IAAF World Cross Country Championships will be held April 1-2, 2006, in Fukuoka, Japan.