Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 19:43:37 -0400

To all who supported the US team in 2001,

Thank you so much for helping me travel to France this summer.  Like many
ultra runners, I dod not have any personal sponsorship, and the money raised
through the USU fund eased the cost of travel and time away from work.  More
importantly, the spirit of such generous support makes me incredibly proud
to run for my country and my country's ultra running community.  This
supportive spirit runs deeply in ultra runners.  It seems whenever I hit a
bad patch in a race, another competitor comes along to encourage me.  This
is a sport in which people cheer on the person who just ran past them, a
sport in which, when not competing, an athlete will go to a race to work a
water stop or support another athlete.  I cannot thank this community of
runners, race directors, volunteers and supporters enough for what this
sport has given me.

I wish you all the best.
Happy training,
Nikki Kimball