Under a new policy adopted by the Professional
Road Running Organization (PRRO) Circuit,
athletes who are returning to competition after
serving a drug suspension will not be invited to
compete in any PRRO Circuit event. Athletes
deemed eligible by the IAAF after their
suspension is served may enter PRRO events
through the normal registration process, but
without travel, lodging, and other hospitality
arrangements that are normally extended to top
road racers.
“Two years ago all PRRO events agreed to do drug
testing at our own cost,” said PRRO President
Don Kardong, who is also the Race Director of
the Lilac Bloomsday Run. “This new policy
underscores how seriously we take our commitment
to a drug-free sport. Simply being eligible to
compete again after serving a drug suspension
doesn’t mean an athlete has earned the courtesy
of an invitation to compete again, at least not
at any PRRO Circuit event.”
The new policy is effective immediately at the
five PRRO Circuit events, which include the
World’s Best 10K in San Juan , Puerto Rico; the
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in
Washington , DC ; the Lilac Bloomsday Run in
Spokane , WA ; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta , GA ; and the
Utica Boilermaker 15K in Utica , NY . The PRRO
Circuit offers world-class competition for
athletes of all nations in events at less than
the marathon distance. Drug testing is carried
out by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
