Coaches and directors of some of the most successful elite distance- running teams in the U.S. will gather in Boston Oct. 21-23 to chart the future of their athletes, their clubs and the sport in this country.

Hosted by the Boston Athletic Association, the 2005 USA Distance Running Summit will focus on continuing the recent progress made by American distance runners. The resurgence of successful, comprehensive distance-running clubs has been heralded by most experts in the sport as the favored route for U.S. athletes to become world-class competitors.

"As one of the oldest running clubs in the country, based in a city known around the world for its running tradition, it is only fitting that we seize every opportunity to serve the sport," said Guy Morse, executive director of the 118-year-old Boston Athletic Association. "American distance running right now has turned the corner, and we want to do anything we can to help it keep going in the right direction."

Last year, the first USA Distance Running Summit was organized by ZAP Fitness in Blowing Rock, N.C., one of seven clubs expected for the Boston conference. Also planning to attend are representatives of Team USA Minnesota, Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, Indiana Invaders, Big Sur Distance Project, the new Boulder Distance Club, and Team Running USA.