Stephanie Ehret, 41, of Boulder, Colorado was the star of the day as the American Women's Team broke into the medals, finishing 3rd among 10 national teams in this weekend's 24 Hour Run World Cup, held in Brno, Czech Republic. Ehret herself, know primarily as a trail running specialist until her stunning race this weekend on the short road loop course in Eastern Europe, took the individual bronze medal just ahead of world record holder Edit Berces of Hungary. Japan's Inagaki Sume took the women's individual worlds title with 147.35 miles, followed by Russian Galina Eremina. Ehret's total of 140.16 miles bettered her personal best by an incredible 10 miles, and ranks her #3 on the All-time American list, behind only Sue Ellen Trapp and Ann Trason. Ehret was backed up by Pam Reed of Tucson, Arizona (132+ miles) and Sandy Powell of Greenville, Virginia (122+ miles), the trio putting the USA on the medal podium for the first time in World 24-Hour competition.

Scott Eppelman of Coppell, Texas, at 38 the youngest member of the American team, led the men with a personal best 144.02 miles, duplicating John Geesler's top American finishing place of 11th in last year's World 24-Hour. Geesler, 45, of St. Johnsville, New York followed close behind with 142.6 miles, and 56 year old Roy Pirrung of Sheboygan, Wisconsin ran 139.0 miles to place the American men 4th of 16 in the national team standings. Japan took both individual titles, as Ryoichi Sekiya won the race with 167.19 miles.