Oslo to Houston to Oslo: Bersagel Returns to USA to Defend Half Marathon Title

2006 USA Half-Marathon Champions Annie Bersagel of Team USA Minnesota will travel all the way from Oslo, Norway, where she is studying political science as a Fullbright Scholar, to defend her title at the USA Half-Marathon Championships this Sunday at the Aramco Houston Half-Marathon. Bersagel won the 2006 USA Women's Half Marathon Championship in Kansas City last June with a debut mark of 1:14:36. Since then, she has represented the United States in the 2006 IAAF World Road Racing Championships in Hungary and been honored as the NCAA's Woman of the Year for 2006.

In men's competition, Team USA Minnesota's Andrew Carlson, Jason Lehmkuhle and Chris Lundstrom return to the USA Half for further glory as well -- Carlson was fifth in last year's event, Lehmkuhle finished third in the 2005 championship while Lundstrom was 13th in 2005 and 19th in 2006.

Olympic Marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi (one of the sport's friendliest people!) headlines the men's field; two-time Olympian Elva Dryer may be toughest to beat for Bersagel and the rest of the women's field.

Other Minnesota folk lining up include Desiree Budd, former MSU-Mankato All-American Marty Rosendahl , and masters ace Kevin Haas.