INDIANAPOLIS, IN - USA Track & Field sponsor BENGAY will support Masters (age 40+) programs USATF announced Thursday. BENGAY, which joined the USATF sponsor family at the 2003 USATF Annual Meeting, is setting up three new sponsorship opportunities to support Masters programs.

The "BENGAY Travel Grant Program" will award 16 athletes (eight men and eight women) with $500 dollars each, to be used to assist the athletes in getting to Sacramento to take part in special races to be staged in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials on July 18. These events-men's and women's 800 meter races-will feature current world and U.S. champions as well as world and U.S. record holders at multiple events. The 16 athletes will be selected from across the country and must have achieved significant accomplishments in middle distance running.

Among the men invited to compete are Tony Young, who has run a world-leading 1:54.79 this year, John Hinton, last year's world outdoor champion at 1500 meters, and Nolan Shaheed, the age 50 world record holder at 1:58.6. The leading women invited include Rose Monday, a former world masters champion at 800 meters, and Catherine Stone-Borkowski, winner of the 800 and mile at this year's USA Indoor Championships.

BENGAY also will honor the "Masters Athlete of the Year" among all of USATF's Masters long distance runners, track and field, and race walk athletes. The athlete will be presented the award at the USATF Annual Meeting at the Jesse Owens Hall of Fame Banquet, presented by Xerox. BENGAY will provide travel for the award winner and a guest to the host city for the award presentation.

Additional funds will be used to support the 2005 Masters Indoor Championships in Boise, Idaho, in March 2005. BENGAY will receive signage as well as name/logo recognition in return.

"With their sponsorship, BENGAY is making a ground-breaking contribution to our Masters programs," USATF CEO Craig Masback said. "In partnering with our Masters community, they will enable us to maximize the quality of our Masters events and provide recognition for Masters athletes."

BENGAY is used for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with simple backache, arthritis, strains, bruises, and sprains

Among those invited to compete in Sacramento are (subject to change):

MEN

Tony Young (42) Redmond, WA - #1 time in the world in 2004 (1:54.79)

John Hinton (42) Chapel Hill, NC - 2003 Masters World Outdoor 1500 Champion

Jeff Lindsay (45) Tulsa, OK - #3 in the USA in the 800 in 2003

Kevin Paulk (43) Portland, OR - 2003 Masters National Outdoor Champion in the mile and 800

Sal Allah (44) New Jersey - 2003 World Masters Champion in the 800

Nolan Shaheed (54) Pasadena, CA - Holds 50-year-old world record in the outdoor 800 (1:58.6)

WOMEN

Mary Thane (40) Montana - 2003 Outdoor 800 Champion

Catherine Stone-Borkowski (42) New York - 2004 U.S. Indoor Champion in 800 and mile

Terri Cassel (42) Tulsa, OK - 2nd at the 2003 National Championships in both the 800 and 1500

Rose Monday (41) San Antonio TX - Former world-class athlete and national team member. Currently seeded # 1 with a time of 2:15.33

Claudette Groenendaal (42) Santa Monica, CA - Former NCAA and USA Champion in the 800