INDIANAPOLIS - USA Track & Field announced Tuesday that the 2006 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships will award the largest prize purse in the event's history. A total of $20,000 in prize money will be awarded at the championships, which will be hosted by the Asics Aggies on December 9 in San Francisco's famed Golden Gate Park.

In previous years the prize money was awarded to the top five open men's and women's teams but an increase to $18,000 will see prize money awarded to the top 10 teams in the Open men's and Open women's championships. $2,000 will also be awarded in the Masters championships. The exact prize money structure and meet information is available on the USATF website at www.usatf.org/events.

This is the 5th straight year that the championships will see an increase in prize money. "We are pleased at the level of support being provided to the clubs and hope this results in additional participation," said Mike Scott USATF XC Council Chair. "The Asics Aggies are committed to putting on a first class event for the athletes and the club has been working closely with USATF to make sure all of the components of this championship are in place for what should be the largest turnout ever for this event."

The defending team champions are, Open Men, Hanson-Brooks (Michigan); Open Women, See Jane Run (Southern California); Men40+, Team Runners High (Southern California); Women40+, Club Northwest (Pacific Northwest); Men50+, Derby City AC (Kentucky); Women50+, Genesee Valley Harriers (Niagara); Men 60+, Raritan Valley (New Jersey); Women60+, Genesee Valley Harriers (Niagara);; Men70+, Belle Watling (Niagara).

The event also serves as the USA Open Men's 10 km, Open Women's 6 km, Master's Men's 10 km and Master's Women's Cross Country Championships. In recent years Olympians and national champions such as Shayne Culpepper, Adam Goucher, Kara Goucher, Dan Lincoln, Jonathan Riley, Nicole Teter, Jorge Torres and Alan Webb have competed in the event.

For more information on the 2006 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships visit www.usatf.org.