Eugene, OR - It's the matchup American track fans have been waiting for: two of American,s brightest young stars clashing at a distance that finds them meeting in-between their specialities. The burning question: can Alan Webb and his miling speed run away from the endurance of Dathan Ritzenhein? Webb and Ritz will return to Hayward Field on June 4th to race in an event specially crafted to feature these two 22-year-old talents. It,s the Prefontaine Classic 2-Mile.

The last time a 2-Mile was contested in the Pre Classic was 1995, when two other American standouts, Bob Kennedy and Todd Williams, dueled back-and-forth for 8 laps. Kennedy emerged with a then-American Record of 8:14.53, a time which he later improved in Europe to a still- standing 8:11.59 AR.

For Webb and Ritz, Hayward Field has been the site of recent successes. In last year's Bowerman Mile, Alan ran his fastest-ever time of 3:50.83 to win the race. That was the best time by an American in seven years. Just 10 days ago, Ritzenhein set his lifetime best at 5,000 meters of 13:22.23 in the Oregon Twilight Meet, running the last three laps by himself.

To win the 2005 Prefontaine Classic 2-Mile, it will likely take an American Record~or at least the fastest ever run on U.S. soil, Kennedy,s 8:14.53---to even be in the hunt. Defending Pre Classic champion Joseph Koskei of Kenya returns, as well as 3-time meet champion Luke Kipkosgei, also of Kenya. Then add in U.S. Olympic Trials steeple winner Daniel Lincoln, and Olympic Trials 5k runner up Jonathan Riley. Are you ready for the first-ever sub-8:10 race on American soil? That,s better than two sub-4:05 miles back-to-back!

2-MILE (MEN)

Alan Webb
Mark Carroll (Ireland)
Boaz Cheboiywo (Kenya)
Dathan Ritzenhein
Luke Kipkosgei (Kenya)
Daniel Lincoln
Belota Asmerom
Markos Geneti (Ethiopia)
Jonathan Riley
Joseph Koskei (Kenya)
Martin Keino (Kenya)