U.S. Runners To Take Part in Unusual Relay Marathon

Olympian Dan Browne will lead a team of six U.S. athletes in an unusual marathon relay in Chiba, Japan, on Monday. Now in its 20th year, the 2008 Chiba International Ekiden features mixed teams of men and women running six alternating legs totaling 26.2 miles or 42.195 kilometers.

The first leg is a men's 5K (3.1 miles); the second, a women 5K; the third leg, men's 10K (6.2 miles); fourth leg, women's 5K; fifth leg, men's 10K; and the sixth leg, women's 7.195K (4.5 miles).

Competing for the U.S. team besides Browne: Carrie Messner Vickers; Ed Moran; Sean Quigley; Tera Moody; Allison Grace; and alternates Teresa McWalters and David Jankowski.

The U.S. team will face Brazil, Canada, China, Ethiopia, Great Britain, Romania, Russia and Sweden.

Team USA finished fourth in the event last year behind host team and defending champion Japan.

By Amy Shipley  |  November 19, 2008; 12:14 PM ET  | Category:  Track and Field
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