The Associated Press
3/31/01 3:43 PM

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) -- Olympian Philip Dunn won the U.S. men's50-kilometer racewalking national title Saturday and Susan Armentabecame the inaugural U.S. women's champ at that distance.

Armenta, of San Diego, led the four-woman field in 4 hours, 49minutes, 57 seconds at Bull Run Regional Park.

"That was the only reason I did it, actually," she said."When I heard they were opening it to women, I figured I might as well support the women's movement."

Dunn won in 3:57:33, followed by American record-holder Curt Clausen (4:06:29), Tim Seaman (4:14:27)and Al Heppner (4:22:18) of the U.S. Army's world-class athlete program. The top four finishers all live in Chula Vista, Calif.

"My goal was to walk under four hours and improve on my personal best," said Dunn, who trimmed 2½ minutes off his personal record. "And I did that. I contribute most of that to being steady, being consistent, having a lot of patience, and just enduring.

"The 50K is not about speed. It's about having a strong head and being able to hold it together for four hours."

Dunn took the lead from Clausen, who struggled with stomach problems, after about 40 kilometers. He then pulled away from Seaman for a nine-minute victory.

"Curt had some problems about halfway through, and when Tim and I picked it up a little bit, I think maybe he picked it up a bit too much. That's where I had to be patient and stay in control."

By winning and meeting the qualifying standard of four hours, Dunn qualified for the world championships Aug. 11 at Edmonton, Alberta, for which Clausen previously had qualified.

"This will be my first world championships, and I'm very excited about it," said Dunn, who finished 28th in the 2000 Sydney Games. "Edmonton may not be the most exotic place, but it will be fun."

For Armenta, however, the 50K remains a national event. The distance is not certified for women at the world championships and Olympics.

"I felt surprisingly good," said Armenta, who passed runner-up Kora Boufflert, of Washington, near the 20-kilometer mark. "I've done a couple marathons, and I felt worse then than I did today. It's all a matter of technique."