Courtesy: Ryan Lamppa/Running USA

In 2001, Americans produced some noteworthy distance running performances that point to a resurgence in U.S. distance running fortunes and moreover with programs like Team USA Distance Running in place, a brighter future. Although Alan Webb's scintillating 3:53.43 mile at the Pre Classic last May caused a well-deserved media deluge, other American distance runners also made history. In this age of cynicism and negative journalism and media overload, it is easy to forget or overlook the "good" that has happened. Below are the top achievements by U.S. distance runners in 2001.

BRONZE MEDALS AT WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
At the world's most competitive race last March in Ostend, Belgium, Bob Kennedy (pictured), Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman led the USA 12K team to a bronze medal; the USA's first men's team medal since 1986. In addition, the day before, Brad Hauser, Tim Broe and Andy Downin helped Team USA to a 4th place team finish in the men's 4K.

In the Junior 8K race, Dathan Ritzenhein of Rockford, Mich. ran a gutsy race and earned the bronze medal; the first individual medal for a U.S. Junior male at the World Cross Country Championships since 1981. Matt Tegenkamp, a freshman at Wisconsin, finished a strong 5th as the U.S. Junior team finished 4th overall (three points from third).

TWO NATIONAL RECORDS
On May 4 at Stanford, Meb Keflezighi of San Diego ran 27:13.98 to break Mark Nenow's nearly 15-year U.S. 10,000 meter record by over 6 seconds.

On September 2 at Virginia Beach, Deena Drossin of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. beat a strong international field to win the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in 1:10:08, a U.S. women's-only record. Her performance made her the 4th fastest American all-time.

FASTEST U.S. WOMEN'S MARATHON DEBUT
Drossin's 2:26:58 at the New York City Marathon on November 4; in addition, U.S. champion, 7th overall and 4th fastest U.S. woman all-time

BOLDER BOULDER WIN
On Memorial Day, May 28, Drossin won the Bolder Boulder 10K in 33:25; only the second American to win the race since 1984. In addition, Drossin, Milena Glusac and Sarah Toland and Clint Wells, Peter DeLaCerda and Shawn Found led the United States to third place in the international team competitions, its highest placements ever. 40,000 plus spectators in the stadium roared their approval.

SILVER MEDAL AT WORLD 100K
In a huge surprise, Rich Hanna of Sacramento, Calif. took the silver medal, running 6:43:09 at the World 100K held in Cleder, France on August 26.

Only time will tell if 2001 was a watershed for U.S. distance running, but regardless, 2001 was a memorable year for the sport and a step or two in the right direction for distance running in this country.