Announcement regarding the 2024 U.S. National 100 KM Team.
The biennial 100 Kilometer World Championship race is the one international venue at which USA Track & Field (USATF) has fielded an ultra-distance team for over two decades. The United States 100K National Team will compete in the 2024 International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) 100K World Championship under the patronage of World Athletics on December 7, 2024, in Bengaluru, India.
The 100km distance is a highly regarded challenge for ultrarunners, bridging the gap between traditional marathons and longer ultramarathon distances. Participation in the 100km World Championships is based on qualification standards set by each country’s national ultrarunning association or federation. Athletes must meet specific performance criteria to be selected for their respective national teams.
The championship is a competitive event featuring some of the best ultrarunners from around the world. Known for its high level of competition and fast-paced running, this race demands a unique combination of speed, endurance, and mental toughness from its participants.
The 100km World Championships not only offer a significant physical challenge but also serve as a global platform for ultrarunners to showcase their abilities and compete on an international stage. The event contributes to the growth and recognition of ultrarunning as a sport and provides an opportunity for camaraderie and the celebration of human endurance.
Meet the USA Women’s 100K Team
Polina Hodnette – Chicago, IL, age 37
Bio: Polina was playing collegiate tennis when her coach noticed her speed during running drills. He suggested she join the cross-country team’s workouts to improve her edge on the court. It was during this time that Polina discovered her passion for running. Since then, she has become a two-time XTERRA 21k Trail World Champion and qualified for the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.
Quote: “Being named to represent the USA on the biggest stage is a dream come true! I’m honored to join such an amazing group of athletes and compete in the distance I’ve always felt drawn to.”
Neringa Kaulinaite – St. Petersburg, FL, age 41
Bio: Neringa only took up running a few years ago. I have one daughter and two step-children, and an amazing husband. In the short time of my running career the highlights include placing 9th at the World 50KM Championships in 2019, becoming the 2024 USATF 100KM National Champion in 7:48:45, and I just completed my first 24 hour race completing 141.9 miles. My dream is to represent the USA in the 100k and 24-hour world championship races.
Allison Mercer – Marietta, GA, age 41
Bio: I am thrilled and honored to represent the USA at the 100K Championships! Having recently secured 2nd place at the USA 100K Champs, I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of my performance on the international stage. My journey has also led me to achieve the Masters record for the 50-mile distance, a milestone that I’m incredibly proud of. With the 5th fastest time in North America, I am more motivated than ever to bring my best to every race. I look forward to the challenges ahead and the opportunity to contribute to a strong American women’s team in India.
Nicole Monette – Oxford, MI, age 38
Bio: I am a full-time physical therapist and running coach living in southeastern Michigan with my husband Patrick and our three children– Peter (10), Jacob (8), and Madelyn (5). Career ultra running highlights include a 2nd place finish at the 2021 Hoka Project CarbonX2 100k, 2nd place at the 2022 USATF 100 mile championships in 14:01, and an 11th place finish at the 2022 World 100k Championships in Berlin as a member of the gold medal-winning women’s team.
Quote: “I am beyond honored to have a chance to represent my country on a World stage for the second time. It is the power of the team, and the camaraderie with my teammates and team leaders, that motivates me to be at my best this upcoming December in India. I look forward to the celebration of coming together with some of the worlds best ultrarunners to give our best on that day!”
Elizabeth Northern – Fort Worth, TX, age 37
Bio: Liz and her family live in Fort Worth, TX, where she works in Institutional Research. She and her husband have three young children. She is a 2-time Olympic Trials qualifier and 3-time Team USA participant.
Quote: “It’s an honor and a privilege to compete for Team USA, and I will ensure to run unabashedly joyfully with grit alongside the best in our country.”
Courtney Olsen -Bellingham, WA, age 36
Bio: Courtney lives in Bellingham, WA, and runs for Hoka while working full-time in banking, art and managing the Bellingham Distance Project. She is an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and a 4x US World Team member for the 50K, 6-HR & 100K World Championships. This will be her 5th US team. This past June, Courtney took 3rd at Comrades.
Quote: “I’m grateful to have made this team. I didn’t expect to go back to India so soon, but after last year’s 50K World Champs, I’m excited for another chance (see: vengeance). Here’s to gaining poundage in Biryani & salt tab swell and to fighting for a repeat team gold medal.”
Meet the USA Men’s 100K Team
Kris Brown – Missoula, MT, age 35
Bio: Kris Brown is making his second appearance on the US 100k team, having competed in the 2022 world championship event in Berlin. Still technically mostly a mountain runner, he oddly finds himself competing in more and more road ultras. Kris is a lifelong runner, boasting a USATF membership dating back to the mid-90s when he was 6 or 7 years old. He considers it a great honor to be able to compete wearing his national colors.
Quote: “I could not be more excited to be a part of the US team heading to the 100k World Championship. I really admire the group of athletes and coaches who I now call teammates, and I’m extremely proud to wear a uniform bearing my national colors.”
Geoff Burns – Colorado Springs, CO, age 32
Bio: Geoff Burns has represented the USA four times at IAU World Championship events (5th at 2018 and 2016 100 km WCs, 10th at the 2015 50 km WCs). He was the 2016 USA 100 km national champion, where he set a still-standing championship record of 6:30, and he was the runner-up in the 2021 and 2022 100 km national championships. He lives in Colorado Springs, CO, where he works for the USOPC as a Physiologist at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. He holds a PhD in kinesiology and also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Michigan.
Quote: “To represent your country in the sport you love is the ultimate privilege and the ultimate responsibility. To that end, one of the unique and special characteristics of the 100 km World Championships is that there is a scored team competition. My goal in Bangalore is to help the USA demonstrate our excellence and take home a team medal.”
John Judge – Madison, WI, age 27
Bio: John Judge is a 4th-year PhD candidate studying biophysics at U. of Wisconsin-Madison. He ran cross-country and track at U. of Chicago (’19) and later took up marathons (2:23:49) and the occasional triathlon. He recommends the 100K as a excellent race for the budget-conscious endurance athlete reluctant to pay for an Ironman™. His return home is eagerly anticipated by pet rabbits and dreaded by many laboratory mice.
Quote: “It is an honor to be selected to represent the US with this group of talented and dedicated ultramarathon runners. And it was unforgettable to qualify while cheered on by my friends in the WI community. I look forward to bringing that sense of camaraderie as part of the ultrarunning community attending the world championships.”
Charlie Lawrence – Boulder, CO, age 28
Bio: Charlie is a 2018 graduate of the University of Minnesota where he was a multiple time All-Big Ten and All-Region honoree. He went on to make his marathon debut post collegiately which landed him his first Olympic Trials berth in 2020. Since the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, Charlie has moved up in distance while still having the marathon be his primary focus, also qualifying and competing at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando. In his 50 mile debut he went on to break the old world record by almost two minutes running 4:48:21 at Tunnel Hill last year. That performance was good enough to land him a spot on this year’s U.S. 100k World Championship team where he hopes to bring back a global medal and score as high as possible for his team. Charlie lives and trains full time in Boulder, Colorado.
Quote: “Being able to wear USA across my chest has been a dream of mine since I first started this sport way back in elementary school. I have been fortunate to have some of the best coaches and mentors in the world help me get to this point. I am all in for India and want to represent my country, my teammates, and my whole team to the best of my ability. We’ll be ready to take a crack at the win on December 7th”
Ryan Miller – San Antonio, Texas, age 32
Bio: Ryan is a two time United States Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier with personal bests of 2:14:27 in the marathon and 1:03:45 in the half marathon. He finished 2nd place in his debut road ultramarathon at the 2024 USATF 100k Championship to qualify to represent the United States at the 2024 IAU World 100k Championship. In his ultra running career, he has claimed wins at the Bandera 100k, Gorge Waterfalls 50k, Kauai 50, Wildflower 50k, and Prickly Pear 50k. He grew up in and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife Lacie and his two sons, Maverick and Maxson. He is the head coach of the Maverick Running Community where he supports goal-oriented runners pursuing their goals on the roads and trails. Outside of running he enjoys playing Settlers of Catan with family and friends, disc golf, and fantasy football.
Quote: “It’s a dream come true to be representing the United States in international competition. I thrive in team environments and know that the decision to push myself in training and at the IAU 100k World Championship will be an easy one with my teammates and country in mind. I cannot wait to put on the red, white, and blue, lace up my shoes, and let it rip in India!”
Chikara Omine – Sacramento, CA , age 42
Bio: Chikara is a full-time auditor that tries to fit in as many miles as he can throughout the day. Locally, he competes in various races as part of a team for Excelsior Running Club. He has represented the US 100K team four previous times. In recent years he has entered the age 40-44 age group and has set the national record in that age group for the 50 mile distance on the road.
Quote: “Wearing the team USA singlet always brings a feeling of great honor. This feeling helps bring out our best and I hope to give it my all with the team!”
