2004 Olympian Kevin Eastler set a new American record in winning the 2005 USA 30 km Race Walk title Sunday in Chula Vista, California.

Eastler had a permanent stranglehold on the lead by the halfway point of the race and he seemed to grow stronger as the race went on. On a near perfect day for racing, Eastler crossed the finish line in the new American record time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, 53 seconds, which bettered the previous record of 2:14:23 set in 2002 by Curt Clausen.

John Nunn was the runner-up in 2:18:43, with Ray Sharp third overall in the new U.S. masters M45-49 age-group record time of 2:29:40.

Mark Green made quick work of his step up to the M50-54 age-group with not one but two American age-group records. His 25 km split, 2:11:05, toppled his father Max Green's long-standing American age- group record, and Mark's 30 km time of 2:37:29 (fourth overall) demolished Ed Whiteman's record from 1993.

On the women's side, Deb Huberty approached her first 30 km race with the patience of a veteran and it paid off. She was able to hold off a late charge from Loretta Schuellein to win her first 30 km national title in 2:58:27. Schuellein was the runner-up in 2:59:28.

For more information on the 2005 USA 30 km Race Walk Championships, including the complete results, visit www.usatf.org.