Team USA Minnesotans to Grace Reindeer Run

Have you always wanted to get Olympian Carrie Tollefson's autograph?

Do you think Andrew Carlson is kinda cute and hope to meet him someday?

Might you harbor ideas that you can actually beat 2:12 marathoner Jason Lehmkuhle in a race?

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, heading over to Saturday's Lifetime Fitness Reindeer Run 5k might be how you'll want to spend tomorrow morning. Ten members of Team USA Minnesota (pictured above with coach Dennis Barker) will participate in the event which begins at 9:30 a.m.

Team members expected to grace the shores of Lake Harriet include Tollefson, Carlson, and Lehnmkuhle as well as four-time USA champion Katie McGregor, marathoners Chris Lundstrom and Michelle Lilienthal, TC 10 Mile winner Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle, TC 5k winners Emily Brown and Antonio Vega, and miler Brad Lowery.

(Matt Gabrielson will not participate as he is shouldering the onerous duty of attending the USA Track & Field annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a delegate to the USATF Athletes Advisory Committee.)

Also ... Jason Lehmkuhle finished second and Katie McGregor tied for third in the final 2007 USA Running Circuit standings. The USARC is a USA Track & Field road series featuring USA Road Championships from the 5k to the marathon.

The 2007 circuit, which was the 13th edition for men and the 12th for the women, featured nine events for men and seven events for women. The first 10 U.S. finishers at championship events earn points to qualify for prize money awarded to the top three finishers -- $6000, $4000 and $2500. Points for the marathon championships are doubled.

Lehmkuhle was fifth at the USA Half Marathon Championship, fifth at the USA 15k Championship, fourth at the USA 10k Championship, third at the USA 20k Championship, second at the USA 10 Mile Championship, and fifth at the USA Marathon Championship held in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Men's Marathon Team Trials.

McGregor earned points by placing fourth at the USA 15k Championship, first at the USA 25k Championship, and second at the USA 10k Championship.

Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor won the 2007 USARC crowns. Full standings are HERE.

Photo by Scott Schneider, courtesy of Team USA Minnesota.