Tollefson to Return to Action in Boston

Team USA Minnesota's Carrie Tollefson will open her 2009 racing campaign at the inaugural Boston Athletic Association Invitational Mile on April 19, BAA officials announced yesterday.

The race will be held in conjunction with the 113th running of the Boston Marathon, which takes place the next day.

Tollefson (pictured), a 2004 Olympian and the Olympic Trials champion at 1500m that year, will face a loaded field that includes Olympic 10,000m bronze-medalist Shalane Flanagan, 2008 steeplechase Olympian and reigning USA Indoor 1500m champ Anna Willard, 2008 1500m Olympian Erin Donohue, and 2006 USA Outdoor 1500m runner-up Lindsey Gallo.

Also competing will be Amy Mortimer, Michelle Sikes, and Marina Muncan.

Tollefson returns to action after two frustrating seasons of competition. After losing nearly all of her 2007 season to an abdominal injury, the Villanova alum had to scramble last spring for an Olympic Trials 1500m qualifying mark.

At the Trials, the 13-time MSHSL state champion and five-time NCAA champion did not advance beyond the semi-finals.

The Boston race will follow a three-loop course starting and finishing on Boylston street. The event includes a men's invitational race -- headlined by three-time U.S. Indoor 1500m champion Rob Myers, two-time Irish Olympian Alistair Cragg, and Adam Goucher -- as well as high school races open to top Boston area preps.

Photo by Victor Sailer/Photo Run.