Photo by Cliff Grassmick

Jorge Torres has been training in the heat and humidity of the Chicago area to get ready for running in Indianapolis this week.

While many world-class runners come up to Boulder to train for major championships, local elite Jorge Torres went down in altitude to the heat and humidity of suburban Chicago nine days ago to prepare this week's defense of his U.S. Outdoor Track 10,000-meter national title.

The race is set for Thursday night in Indianapolis, and Torres is using the same pre-race strategy that worked so well last year when he upset American record holder Meb Keflezighi to win the title.

The 10,000 looks to be one of the most competitive races in the 2007 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships that are set for Wednesday through Sunday in the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium.

"I am ready to defend (his 10K crown), but it is going to be very tough to win it," Torres said in a phone interview Monday from his parents' home in Golf, Ill. "My goal going in is to win it. My fitness level is high; it is going to be a battle of wits, just one heck of a battle."

That is because Torres faces a field that includes 2007 USAcross country champ and Lafayette resident Alan Culpepper, who has run 27 minutes, 50.1 seconds this year for 10,000 meters; Dathan Ritzenhein (27: 35.6); Abdi Abdirahiman (27:22.8); new American half marathon record holder Ryan Hall and top collegian Galen Rupp (27:32.4).

The heat and humidity will add another dimension to the race, Torres said.

"Those guys are all running very well at this point of the season," said Torres. "And there are a couple of new guys. It is going to be fun to watch; and as always, I will be happy if I come out on top."

Torres, a former prep national champion and NCAA cross country champ for the University of Colorado, has run just two 10,000 meters on the track in his career, which started as a prep star back in Wheeling, Ill. The first was the 2006 national championships; the second was a fast 27-minute, 42-second clocking last month.

Despite his lack of track 10,000s, Torres is a savvy racer. Last year, he hung back for the first 5K while Abdirahmin took an early lead. Keflezighi and Torres caught up about 6K and then dueled until Torres took the lead for good with 600 meters to go. Torres clinched his national title with a kick over the final lap.

"It was a good feeling to win the U.S. title on the track, and I would like to have that feeling again Thursday," he said.

Torres has been training with his brother, Edwardo, and fellow Boulder Performance Training Group runner Jason Hartmann, getting in between 90 and 100 miles a week. The group also went to Eugene, Ore., this spring to train with ex-Boulder runner Ritzenhein, who like Torres is coached by Brad Hudson.

Last year, Torres spent time at Ritzenhein's hometown of Rockford, Mich., in order to get used to the Midwest humidity before the national championships.

"It worked for me last year," Torres said. "I've come to realize running in the humidity takes a while to get used to. It takes a couple of days to get comfortable enough to get in some good workouts and races."

AFRICA, MACKEY WIN: Boulder's Dave Mackey won the Mt. Evans Ascent Saturday in a time of 1 hour, 58 minutes, 50 seconds. Erie's George Zack was second (1:59:46), with ex-Fairview runner Butch Wilson taking the masters title and placing third overall (2:04:10).

Boulder's Darcy Africa won the Bighorn 100-mile Trail Race over the weekend in Sheridan, Wyo. Africa placed fourth overall in a time of 23 hours, 22 minutes, 21 seconds.

TORRES, FAIRCHILD CAMPS: Torres and former collegiate runner Phil Astras have started a running camp in Boulder. The two are looking for up to a dozen runners a week to get individual attention from Torres, with an emphasis on high school runners. The camps will run through mid-August.

"This is to give a little bit back to the running community, to help kids learn and train at a top level," said Torres. Details: www.torresrunningcamp.com.

Former Boulder high school star Melody Fairchild is offering running camps in the Gold Hill area next month: www.fairchildsportscamps.com.