Team USA's men's and women's squads both placed in the top ten Tuesday at the 2004 International Chiba Ekiden in Chiba, Japan.

The contest was held over the marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards, and is divided into stages - two of both 10,000 meters and 5,000m, with the final leg being run as a

12 km for the men, and the final two stages run as a 4.767 km and 7.428 km for the women.

The men's team placed seventh overall out of 15 teams in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Ethiopia won the event in 1:56:57, with Kenya the runner-up in 1:59:03 and Japan third in 2:01:43.

Jason Hubbard led off for Team USA running his 10 km leg in 29:40, followed by Matt Gabrielson's 5 km trek in 14:14. James Carney then donned the sash to run his 10 km leg in 29:19, before Luke Watson posted a 14:14 5 km. Chad Pearson ran the anchor 12 km leg in 36:18.

Team USA women's squad placed tenth out of 15 teams, covering the marathon distance in 2:23:36. Ethiopia won the women's race in 2:11:54, followed by the runner-up Japan squad in 2:14:15. Kenya was third in 2:15:17.

Kelly Keane led the Americans with her opening 10 km leg in 33:43. Next was Sharon Dickie, who covered her 5 km stint in 16:18 prior to Kathy Newberry's 10 km of 34:55. Melissa Gulli ran her 5 km leg in 16:37 prior to Carrie Messner's 4.767 km run of 16:28. Dana Coons ran the 7.428 km anchor leg in 25:35.

For more information on the 2004 International Chiba Ekiden, visit: www.chiba- ekiden.jp/race.html.