INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Masters Long Distance Running Committee has announced that Texas Round-Up has been awarded the 2008 USA Masters 10 km Championships. The 10 km is part of The Texas Round-Up Festival and will be held on April 26 in Austin, Texas.

The Texas Round-Up is a statewide fitness initiative that encourages all Texans to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles through regular exercise and general physical fitness and was created by Texas Governor, Rick Perry in 2004.

"Texas is honored to host the fastest men and women Masters runners in the country this year during our 5th Annual Texas Round-Up," said Texas Governor Rick Perry. "These athletes are examples that, regardless of our age or hectic schedules, each of us has the ability to get fit, start making healthy lifestyle choices, and become champions."

"USATF is proud to be part of, and bring national attention to, the Texas Round-Up," said Don Lein," USATF Masters LDR Chair. "We are fortunate to have such an outstanding partner with Governor Rick Perry's innovative fitness program and believe it will provide for our Masters runners a professionally run and richly rewarding National Championship 10 km race."

The event is held just off the steps of the State Capitol in Austin and draws thousands of people from around the state to celebrate fitness. The championships will feature a record $34,000 in prize money for U.S. Masters athletes including top-ten age-graded awards.