GRAND RAPIDS, MI - It was a day of strong running, sneaky tactics and exciting come-from-behind finishes at the USA 25K Championships, hosted by the 27th Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids. Simon Wangai of Kenya was the class of the field as he won handily in 1:15:15, while Dan Browne successfully defended his USA title to finish second overall in 1:16:21.

For the women, Alevtina Ivanova from Russia came from "out of sight" to overtake compatriots Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova and Victoria Klimina in the latter miles for the overall win in 1:26:38. In similar fashion, 40-year-old Debbi Kilpatrick used a steady pace throughout to run down early leader Jeanne Hennessy, and then Sonja Friend-Uhl, to double-dip as USA Open and Masters champion. Kilpatrick's winning time was 1:31:14.

The race started under a threat of rain and even severe thunderstorms, but radar showed the bulk of the storms just north of Grand Rapids. The 48 degree temperatures were cool even for hardy Michiganites, as runners and race workers bundled up for the 25K trek that lay ahead.

The pre-race talk of an American men's record was quickly put to rest with an opening mile of 5:05 followed by a 4:52 second mile, which saw a pack that included Open runners Wangai ('04 Lilac Bloomsday champion) and Wilson Komen (12th '04 Boston) as well as U.S. favorites Browne, Ryan Shay, Teddy Mitchell, Patrick Muturi, Sean Nesbitt, Scott Larson and Scott Goff.

A third mile in 4:43 (14:40) quickly thinned the herd down to Wangai, Browne, Shay and Komen with Mitchell, Muturi and Larson 10 meters down.

By mile 4 (4:45/19:26) Wangai had begun a push to the finish that would quickly become a solo run, leaving Browne and Shay to sort out the USA Championship.

With Wangai stepping off miles between 4:45 and 4:55 that would bring him home unchallenged, Browne and Shay would hit 10 miles together (49:02) before the slightly "under the weather" Browne made his move for the U.S. title and to possibly close the gap on Wangai.

"I decided to push hard after 10 miles" recalled Browne who has qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic marathon team, "but after three hard miles, I just wasn't making up any ground. I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to give Simon more of a race." The 2nd place overall effort for Browne (1:16:21) was still good for his 13th USA title and a total payday of $6000.

Shay, the defending USA Running Circuit champion, was next to hit the line in 3rd overall (2nd U.S.) in 1:17:12, and somewhat pleased with his effort. "I felt pretty good, I knew that I had to stay with Dan as long as I could. I did try to push a little around halfway to try to break Komen (4th overall 1:17:48), but I knew Dan would cover any move that I made and when he decided to go, it would be powerful, I'm just glad I was able to stick my nose in it."

Teddy Mitchell was third U.S., finishing in 1:17:55, 12 seconds up on 2001 USA Marathon champion, Scott Larson.

In the women's race, by 2 miles, Sultanova-Zhdanova and Klimina were warming up the pace with Ivanova and Hennessy just a few steps behind. Sultanova-Zhdanova and Klimina began to pull away and by mile 4, Ivanova and Hennessy were struggling to maintain sight of the leaders.

Just past the turnaround, near mile 7, Klimina assumed the lead with Sultanova-Zhdanova tucked neatly in queue. For the next couple of miles, Klimina worked hard to push the pace as Sultanova-Zhdanova waited patiently to make her move. Ivanova was still about 29 seconds behind, barely in distant view from the pace car, and out of the consciousness of the two Russian front-runners.

Sultanova-Zhdanova, 43, took the lead just before mile 10 on an uphill and Klimina struggled to maintain contact. It appeared Sultanova-Zhdanova had the race in control with her smooth, efficient stride, but the racing tactics between the two Russians over the past few miles had slowed the pace slightly which allowed Ivanova to get back into the race.

The diminutive Ivanova ran with some of the men in the race, using them not only to help with her pace, but also as a shield from the two leaders.

"I was hiding behind the men so nobody could see me," remarked Ivanova with a smile. "That was my tactic, to sneak up on them."

That stratagem worked to perfection. Just before mile 12 she quietly passed the surprised Sultanova-Zhdanova and Klimina on one side of the road while the Russian pair ran on the other side. They quickly formed a 1-2-3 single file, but Ivanova had the momentum.

"I was very surprised when Alevtina came by," said Sultanova- Zhdanova. "I had no idea she was back there. I had slowed down a little to get my stamina for the closing miles."

After the "sneak attack" it was all Ivanova to the finish line. She quickly built her lead over the next several miles as the course re-enters Grand Rapids and twists through several residential areas and parks. Her margin was comfortable enough that she slowed down the final mile, waved to the crowds and finally flashed a victory smile.

Kilpatrick's goal coming into the race was simple - win the USA Masters Championship. She was unaware she had also won the USA Open title until she learned about it in the press tent after the race.

"This is the first time I heard it," she said with a shocked look on her face. "I knew I was behind the three Russians, but I wasn't sure who else was ahead of me."

Hennessy had a substantial lead over the other Americans, but began to falter over the second half of the race. "I had problems with my breathing, asthma," said the 2002 USA 25K champion. "Sonja passed me about 11 and I couldn't go with her."

The 25K distance was a little out of Friend-Uhl's comfort zone as she is better known as a middle distance runner.

"This was a stepping stone for me," said the 4:37 miler. "I ran the 15K earlier this year (Gate River 15K) so this is another step up. I was just trying to be consistent. I started out at 5:50s and tried to hold on."

She tried to hold on to Kilpatrick, hoping her speed would come in handy if it came down to a final kick. But Kilpatrick was too strong and pulled away for her second USA title (also 1997 marathon champion) of her career.

"This is a big win for me," said Kilpatrick who pocketed $4750. "I haven't raced this far in a long time."

Janet Robertz was second U.S. master with Rosalva Bonilla third. Dennis Simonaitis was the USA masters champion for the men.

As part of the 2004 USA Running Circuit, the top 10 U.S. athletes earned points at River Bank. With his U.S. title (worth 15 USARC points), Dan Browne moved within four points of current men's leader Meb Keflezighi, 54 points to 50, while Debbi Kilpatrick moved into fourth place (18 points). Defending women's Circuit champion Colleen De Reuck is the current leader with 45 points.

The 2004 USARC, a USA Track & Field road series featuring USA Championships from 5K to the marathon, offers over $810,000 in championship prize money plus a $25,000 grand prix purse. More USARC information at: www.usatf.org.

MEN
1. Simon Wangai, KEN, 1:15:15, $4000
2. Dan Browne, OR, 1:16:21, $6000+
3. Ryan Shay, MI, 1:17:12, $3500+
4. Wilson Komen, KEN, 1:17:48
5. Teddy Mitchell, NM, 1:17:55, $1500
6. Scott Larson, CO, 1:18:07, $1000
7. Scott Goff, CO, 1:18:38, $600
8. Patrick Muturi, CO, 1:18:48, $500
9. Sean Nesbitt, CO, 1:19:47, $400
10. John Kariuki, KEN, 1:20:00
11. Paul Aufdemberge, MI, 1:20:23, $300
12. Dennis Simonaitis, 41, UT, 1:20:26, $1700*
13. Chris Wehrman, IL, 1:20:31, $100
+includes Open and USA Championship prize money
*includes USA Open and Masters Championship prize money

WOMEN
1. Alevtina Ivanova, RUS, 1:26:38, $4000
2. Firaya Sultanova-Zhdanova, 43, RUS, 1:27:00, $3500#
3. Victoria Klimina, RUS, 1:27:39, $1500
4. Debbi Kilpatrick, 40, OH, 1:31:14, $4750*
5. Sonja Friend-Uhl, FL, 1:31:26, $2000
6. Jeanne Hennessy, NJ, 1:33:12, $1500
7. Janet Robertz, 44, MN, 1:33:56, $1500*
8. Lori Stich Zimmerman, TX, 1:35:03, $600
9. Marie Sample, MN, 1:35:17, $500
10. Jackie Rzepecki, MI, 1:35:20, $400
11. Jenna Boren, MN, 1:35:26, $300
12. Machelle Cochran, TX, 1:37:21, $200
13. Kelli Lusk, MA, 1:37:31, $100
#Open and masters prize money
*includes USA Championship Open and masters prize money

For full results and more go to: www.53riverbankrun.com

2004 USA Running Circuit Standings

MEN after five races
1) Meb Keflezighi, 29, Mth Lakes, CA 54
2) Dan Browne, 28, Beaverton, OR 50
3) Alan Culpepper, 31, Lafayette, CO 30
4) Ryan Shay, 24, East Jordan, MI 22
Chris Graff, 28, Palo Alto, CA 22

WOMEN after three races
1) Colleen De Reuck, 40, Boulder, CO 45
2) Deena Kastor, 31, Mth Lakes, CA 24
3) Jen Rhines, 29, Ardmore, PA 20
4) Sara Wells, 25, Burnsville, MN 18
Debbi Kilpatrick, 40, Strongsville, OH 18

2004 USARC Champions

MEN
Alan Culpepper 2:11:42 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Birmingham, AL, Feb 7
Meb Keflezighi 43:18 Gate River Run 15K, Jacksonville, FL, March 13
Meb Keflezighi 22:16+ NYRR 8000/USA Men's Championship, NY, NY, March 27
Dan Browne 46:32+ Papa John's 10 Miler, Louisville, KY, April 10
Dan Browne 1:16:21 Fifth Third River Bank 25K, Grand Rapids, MI, May 8
+USA Championship Record

WOMEN
Colleen De Reuck 49:02 Gate River Run 15K, Jacksonville, FL, March 13
Colleen De Reuck 2:28:25* U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, St. Louis, MO, April 3
Debbi Kilpatrick 1:31:14 Fifth Third River Bank 25K, Grand Rapids, MI, May 8
*Olympic Trials record