Sept. 14, 2008

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland - Led by two freshmen from the University of Richmond, the United States took a national-best fourth-place finish Sunday at the World Mountain Running Championship in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Tim Smith's fifth-place finish was the best-ever by an American runner in the event, while Levi Grandt was 13th overall.

The 24th running of the event brought together over 350 athletes from 39 countries to determine the best mountain runners in the world. In the junior men's race (athletes under 20 years old) the U.S. was led by Smith (Roanoke, Va.) and Grandt (West Union, W.Va.), who anchored the American squad.

"I'm really happy to represent the U.S. and the University of Richmond in such a great race", said Smith. "That was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. That hurt but the finish was great. I'm really happy."

Smith was the top U.S. finisher taking fifth overall in a time of 43:02 and was closely followed by his teammate Grandt, who placed 13th in 44:00. Smith's showing ranks as the best ever by an American, while Grandt's 13th-place finish is the third-best.

"This was a great experience", said Grandt. "I'm really pleased with my place and our team finish. It was a great opportunity and I am glad Tim and I both got the opportunity to be here together. I think it helped push us both. There is nothing like having a `USA' uniform on and the crowd cheering. It was pretty crazy at the end."

Richmond Spiders now occupy the top-three American performances all-time in the World Mountain Running Championship, as current junior Andrew Benford finished 12th overall in 2006 and helped the U.S. to an eighth-place, then its best until today.

Rounding out the U.S. junior men's team were Jonny Stevens (Vail, Colo.) who took 31st in 45:39 and Paul Petersen (Broomfield, Colo.) who placed 50th in 47:31.

The weather has been consistent during the U.S.A. Mountain Running Team's stay in Switzerland and remained the same on race day with fog, drizzling rain and temperatures in the 40s. The junior men's race began in Venthone and covered 8.3 km (5.1 miles) with 2,420 feet of vertical climb and at times, the incline of the race course exceeded a 25% gradient.

"The race went out so fast and our team coach told us to be patient," said Smith. "After the first kilometer Levi and I were between 40th and 50th place, which he said would be fine. Levi picked it up and I was about 15 seconds behind him, but by four kilometers we got back together and pushed each other.

"By five kilometers into the race I really started to feel good and we were passing so many people, but the mountain got really steep -- amazingly steep. I just kept thinking about getting to the top. I really had no idea what place I finished until the race was over and someone came up and told me. Levi was right behind me in 13th. We were giving each other high fives in the finish chute. It was great."

Turkey was the leading team with 13 points and the race winner was Sindre Buraas of Norway who posted a time of 42:12.

"We couldn't be happier", said Richmond head men's coach Steve Taylor. "It was a tremendous opportunity and both Tim and Levi represented their country, university, teammates and family with tremendous poise. These two young men have a unique ability to tolerate and embrace very high levels of intense pain. You do not go to the World Mountain Running Championships and perform unless you have that ability.

"I couldn't be happier for them and believe it reaffirms the fact that great athletes are choosing the University of Richmond as their college of choice. The academic and athletics opportunities are endless for anyone that takes a close look at our University."