Amy Yoder-Begley (Kendallville, Ind.) turned in a strong effort Monday to earn her first USA women's 10 km road championship at the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women in Boston.

The 2001 NCAA champion at 10,000 meters while at the University of Arkansas, Yoder-Begley on Monday finished in 33 minutes, 12 seconds to win her first USA title as a professional athlete. As the top American, she finished third overall in the race, behind Marie Davenport of Ireland (32:48) and Genet Gebregiorgis of Ethiopia (33:09).

Yoder-Begley's title is part of a steady improvement over the course of 2004, coming after her ninth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials (33:17.78). It was not the first USA title for the 26-year-old Yoder-Begley, however. As a high school senior in 1996, she won the U.S. junior title at 5,000 meters, and added another U.S. junior title at 1,500m in 1997.

Monday in Boston, Begley out-dueled another promising young American runner, local athlete Amy Mortimer of West Roxbury, Mass. The 23-year-old Kansas State graduate placed second among Americans and fourth overall in 33:24. She was followed by 36-year-old Jenny Crain of Milwaukee, Wis., who was the third American (fifth overall) in 33:28.

For complete results, visit www.tuftshealthplan.com/tufts10k/ thp10k.php