OSAKA, JAPAN (September 1, 2007) - Team Running USA’s Jen Rhines finished 7th tonight in the women’s 5,000m at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships, her best ever placing at a major championship. Rhines’ time of 15:03.09 was impressive, given the tactical nature of the race.

Having competed in the marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics, she stressed that this shorter race was also necessary to help her preparations for the Beijing Olympics next summer.

“Tonight was a trial run for next year; I’d never run the 5k at a major championship before. I think I’m better suited for the shorter distances. Mentally I’m a lot stronger in the 5k and 10k than in the marathon. My goal at the beginning of the year was to make top 8 in the finals, so I’m pretty happy with tonight’s outcome.”

Earlier in the week, Rhines’ teammate Deena Kastor placed 6th in the women’s 10,000m. Running on a hot and humid night, Kastor finished with a time of 32:24.58.

Despite her high finish, Kastor was slightly disappointed with the outcome of her race. Having won a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic Marathon, Kastor was hoping to add a track medal to her already stellar resume.

“I thought I could win a medal,” Kastor said. “The race went exactly how I didn't want it to go, very tactical and slow, and I didn't put myself in the position to be up there from the very beginning. I made the mistake of being in the pack where there was a lot of pushing and shoving, and I suffered the consequences.”

While Rhines plans to take the rest of the fall off from racing, Kastor will compete on the U.S. team at the World ½ Marathon Championships on October 14.