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Hansons-Brooks ODP Runner Desiree Davila Secures Coveted Seat on Team USA for 2012 Olympics - Women's Marathon

Hansons-Brooks ODP runner Desiree Davila pushing the pace during the Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston on January 14. (Photo: Business Wire)

Following her record-breaking performance at Boston, making her the third fastest U.S. female marathoner of all time, Davila arrived in Houston with one goal, to make Team USA.

"I told my elite running camp coach in high school that my ultimate dream was to become an Olympian," said Desiree Davila, Hansons-Brooks ODP runner. "Today I ran my own race, and stuck to the plan we developed to help get me there. I competed against a talented and fit group of women, all of whom I am now proud to call teammates."

"We are so proud of Desi. She has a mental-toughness and work ethic that paved the way for her Olympic team berth," said Kevin Hanson, co-founder and coach of the Hansons-Brooks ODP. "All our athletes have been meticulously preparing for this opportunity and it showed in their performances today."

The top four women competitors including Davila and Brooks athlete Amy Hastings, all beat the previously held Olympic Trials women's record set in 2004. This performance earned Hastings an alternate spot on the Olympic team, running 2:27:17 for fourth place. Also in the women's top ten was Davila's Hansons-Brooks ODP teammate Dot McMahon running 2:32:16 for ninth place.

"It was incredibly inspirational to watch the race today and see such amazing performances on both the men's and women's side," said Jim Weber, president and CEO of Brooks Sports, Inc. "Many athletes ran personal bests and they are the ones who will inspire future generations of runners to pursue their Olympic dream."

The Brooks-sponsored men also had strong performances today at the Olympic Trials. Led by Andrew Carlson who earned sixth place in his first marathon, running 2:11:24, four Brooks men placed in the top 20 and 12 set personal records in Houston.

For more information about Brooks' athletes and the brand's performance running footwear, apparel, and accessories, please visit www.brooksrunning.com.

About Brooks

Brooks Sports, Inc. is a leading running company that designs and markets a line of performance footwear, apparel, and accessories in more than 60 countries worldwide. A subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Brooks was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Bothell, Wash., near Seattle. The company's mission is to inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther, and faster. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information, and follow frequent brand updates on Twitter (@brooksrunning) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/brooksrunning).

About the Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project

Brothers Keith and Kevin Hanson founded the Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project (ODP) in 1999 with the goal to revive American distance running. Recruiting post-collegiate runners nationwide, the Hansons-Brooks ODP gives these athletes the rare opportunity to live, work, and run together in a supportive, training-focused environment founded on team principals. Based in Rochester Hills, Mich., the team currently consists of 26 athletes - 19 men and 7 women.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50133661&lang=en

Brooks Sports, Inc.
Tiffany Herman, 425-951-7369
tiffany.herman@brooksrunning.com