EUGENE, Ore. – After a season of record crowds, compelling guests, exclusive videos and insider information, TrackTown Tuesday makes its highly anticipated return on Feb. 3 at the Downtown Athletic Club. Doors open to the public at 6 p.m. for a social hour, followed by the free one-hour show at 7 p.m.

The first edition of the popular town hall meetings in 2015 will feature special guest Sally Kipyego of Oregon Track Club Elite.

After missing nearly all of 2013 due to injury, the Kenyan distance runner bounced back to post the fastest time in the world in the 10,000 meters last year with a clocking of 30 minutes, 42.26 seconds. She finished the year ranked No. 3 in the world in the 10,000m and No. 4 in the world in the 5,000m by Track & Field News magazine. Kipyego joined OTC Elite in 2010 after a record-setting collegiate career at Texas Tech in which she won nine NCAA titles. She went on to win silver medals in the 10,000m at both the 2011 IAAF World Championships and 2012 London Olympics.

The University of Oregon will be represented by two of its top distance runners and a member of the UO coaching staff.

Redshirt senior Eric Jenkins will be on hand to discuss his runner-up finish to teammate Edward Cheserek at the NCAA Cross Country Championships last November and his plans for the current indoor season. Jenkins sits atop the collegiate 5,000m rankings this year at 13:31.76; No. 3 on the all-time UO indoor list.

Senior Megan Patrignelli will also be a special guest. Although she has no more track eligibility, Patrignelli was the team’s No. 3 finisher at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and an integral part of the Ducks’ team championships at the Pac-12 and NCAA West Regional meets.

Those in attendance will also learn more about plans for the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships to be staged March 18-20 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. In addition, there will be random prize drawings for two reserved all-session tickets to the NCAA Championships (June 10-13) and USATF Championships (June 25-28) at Hayward Field.

TrackTown USA President Vin Lananna will be the host of the festivities with former UO three-sport standout Jordan Kent serving as master of ceremonies.

There will be free coffee, tea and soft drinks, $5 appetizers and Hop Valley Brewing Co. will be pouring $3 pints of beer. Free parking is available in the adjacent Overpark. No validation is required after 5 p.m.

Future TrackTown Tuesday dates: March 3, April 7, May 5 and June 2.

Curtis Anderson | TrackTown USA

Director of Communications

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c  541-600-0145

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