NEW BALANCE PLAYS PUT UP OR SHUT UP WITH U.S. MARATHONERS

     "Dissatisfied" with the results at the Atlanta Games, New
Balance will challenge U.S. men and women distance runners
whereby if they break the American marathon records in '97, they
will get $1M, according to Barbara Huebner of the BOSTON GLOBE.
New Balance President & CEO Jim Davis: "U.S. athletes haven't
performed, we think, up to their potential.  Sometimes it
requires this kind of prize to make a statement."  Anne Marie
Lauck finished 10th in the women's Atlanta race, but no other
American finished better than Keith Brantly's 28th place.  If
both a male and female break the records, they will split the
prize; if more than one man or woman breaks the record, the
winners are those with the best times.  The record must be set in
the U.S. on a USA Track & Field-certified courses (BOSTON GLOBE,
11/12).