Record-breaking performance rocks New Haven

New Haven hosted the race, the men's 20K National Championship, for the sixth year in a row. Khannouchi, the 1997 Runner's World runner of the year, finished in 57 minutes and 37 seconds. He broke the 58:20 mark set by fellow Moroccan Salah Hissou in Paris in 1994. In addition, he conquered the New Haven 20K course record of 58:24 set by Greg Meyers in 1983.

De Reuck, another 1997 Runner's World Runner of the Year, won the women's race and placed 25th overall with a time of 1:05:11. Her performance ties the women's record set by China's Wang Xiu-Ting in 1993. Both runners were in New Haven to prepare for marathons this coming fall.

Melanie Mowlinski, DIV '99, who has run the race for the past two years, was not surprised that records were set on Monday. "This year the conditions were great. I cut two minutes off my time," she said. "It was much cooler than last year and there was very little wind. The top runners were finishing right before it started to rain." Mowlinski also added that it was a well organized race with "great water stops." Rock bands strategically placed along the more demanding parts of the course to encourage the runners through these sections.

Khannouchi earned $3,000 for winning the men's race and De Reuck won $2,500 for the women's. Both earned an additional $1,000 bonus for breaking the course record. --Liz Oliner

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