Misari, Korea - Howard Nippert ran to highest finish ever for an American man at the IAU 100 km World Cup in Misari, Korea, on Sunday, October 8. The Fork Union, Va., resident ran 6 hours, 52 minutes, 46 seconds to finish fifth.

Gradually moving up from 20th place after the first three loops, Nippert found himself in sixth place at 96 km. "I was told that I was in sixth place, about 1:30 back from fifth," Nippert said. "I never passed anyone so I thought I was finishing in 6th. When I got closer to the finish I heard my name called by the announcer in 5th place. I had run the last 4km thinking the whole time how happy I would be with sixth and then to cross the finish line in fifth...well, that is just awesome!"

Other finishers for the American men included Bob Sweeney (Rye Brook, N.Y) in 30th (7:34:45), Patrick Russell (Minneapolis, Minn.) in 31st (7:43:33), and Phil Kochick (Seattle, Wash.) in 39th (8:00:24).

In the women's race, the top four U.S. women set personal bests with each going under 8:10 to pace the U.S. team to a fourth-place finish.

Leading the women was Anne Lundblad (Asheville, N.C.), who posted a sixth place finish in 7:47:15, a pending US age group record for 40-44. Newcomer to the team Kami Semick (Bend, Ore.), running her first road 100 km finished in eleventh position with a 7:56:38. Rounding out the team scoring was Nikki Kimball (Bozeman, Mont.), in 14th place was timed in 8:06:02.

Also new to the team, Julie Udchachon (Eagle River, Alaska), ran a gutsy 8:08:32 to finish 16th. Connie Gardner (Medina, Ohio), was 23rd in 8:27:20 and Tania Pacev (Littleton, Colo.), finished in 24th with a time of 8:44:57.

For More information on the IAU 100 km World Cup visit www.usatf.org.