Seattle, WA--Seattle's Rob Cook and Port Coquitlam's Tina Connelly grabbed top honors in the inagural Seattle Open at Lincoln Park on January 30th, braving wind, rain, the elements, and the competition, with Cook winning the men's 10-kilometer race in 30:08. and Connelly emerging victorious in the women's 6-kilometer race in 20:45.

In the preliminary race, University of Portland star Todd Davis ran away with the men's 4-kilometer race in 13:12, while Club Northwest runner Mindy Leffler of Bellevue, WA. garnered the win in the women's competition, cruising through the 4-k course in 15:39.

This year's Open was the final stop of the North American Winter Cross Country series, and many of the top athletes competing in Seattle used the race as a final tune-up for next month's USA Winter Cross Country National Championships at Lake Spanaway Golf Course in Tacoma, WA.

The rain let up just in time for the start of the mens 10K and womens 6K race, but unfortunately the damage to the course had already been done. "We hoped for better weather, but we were prepared for the rain," said race organizer Paul Merca. "The wet conditions were to be expected and certainly didn't take anything away from a great day of racing," added Merca.

Cook pretty much took command of the race from the first lap of five over the 2-k course, with New Balance runner Scott Larson of Boulder, CO., attempting at various points in the race to make a charge at Cook, before finishing the race in the runner-up position in a time of 30:19, 11 seconds behind the winner. Meanwhile, Olympia's Craig Dickson of Club Northwest worked his way patiently through the pack and picked off a number of runners in placing third in 30:38.

The victorious Cook said, " We got a good simulation of what the weather is probably going to be like in two weeks (national championships)."

Cook's win gave the Washington squad the team title in the Northwest Team Challenge, defeating the British Columbia squad 10-29, using international scoring rules (top 4 finishers score).

Connelly, the 1998 Canadian national champion, representing City Track/NIKE Canada, made it very clear whose race it was to win, as she took command of the women's field immediately. Hot on her heels was fellow countrywoman Sarah Howell from Calgary, AB (Calgary Spartans), who came in second just 40 seconds back. Connelly's performances helped propel the British Columbia team to victory in the women's team standings. Finishing third was Shelley Smathers of Edmonds, WA (New Balance) who finished in 21:40, just 15 seconds behind Howell.

The Canadian champ led the BC squad to victory over the Washington squad 13-26.

Commenting afterwards, Connelly compared the start of this race which combined the men and women's start at the same time, to what she expects to see in Belfast at the IAAF World Championships in March. "The start there (Belfast) is going to be so fast and there's always so many people around you, so running with the guys kind of simulates that a little bit," said Connelly.

Division winners in the men's 4k race were: 19 and under was Joey Hord of Seattle, WA (Univ of Washington) in 14:05; Todd Davis of Portland, OR (Univ of Portland) won the 20-29 division with a time of 13:12 in addition to garnering overall top honors; Ray McClanahan of Portland, OR won the 30-39 division with a time of 13:20; Michael Allison of Seattle WA (Club Northwest) won the men's 40-49 division with a time of 14:42, and in the 50+ catgeory, 62 year-old Stephen Odwin of Vancouver, B.C. was the winner.

Jenn Wakely of Vancouver B.C. won the 19 and under division in 17:20; Mindy Leffler of Bellevue, WA (Club NW) won the the 20-29 division in addition to crossing the line first in 15:39, while former Irish Olympian Regina Joyce of Lynnwood, WA (Brooks RT) was the winner of the 40-49 division in 16:20.

In relation to the wet course conditions, Leffler, winner of the women's 4k race said, "It was really sloppy, but it was fun."

Special thanks go to race sponsors NIKE, Odwalla, AT&T Wireless Services, and the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation for making the inagural event possible. Club Ballard also wishes to thank Club Northwest and the Pacific Northwest Track & Field Association's officials group for the success of this maiden event, which event organizers hope will be a fixture on the North American Winter Cross Country circuit.

--end--

Men's 10K: 1) Rob Cook, New Balance, 30:08; 2) Scott Larson, New Balance, 30:19; 3) Craig Dickson, Club Northwest, 30:38.

Northwest Team Challenge: Washington (Cook, Dickson, Uli Steidl, Brad Barquist) 10; British Columbia 29

Women's 6k: 1) Tina Connelly, City Track/NIKE Canada, 20:45; 2) Sarah Howell, Calgary Spartans, 21:25; 3) Shelley Smathers, New Balance, 21:39.

Northwest Team Challenge: British Columbia (Connelly, Lori Durward, Cari Rampersad, Cindy O'Krane) 13; Washington 26.

Men's 4K: 1) Todd Davis, Univ of Portland, 13:12; 2) Ray McClanahan, Portland OR, 13:20; 3) Nathan Spear, Portland OR, 13:48.

Women's 4K: 1) Mindy Leffler, Club Northwest, 15:39; 2) Regina Joyce, Brooks RT, 16:20; 3) Jenn Wakely, Vancouver BC, 17:20.