USATF.tv to provide expanded web coverage of national championships...

DES MOINES, Iowa--Good news for those who can't make it to Drake Stadium for the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

In addition to the ESPN2, Universal Sports, NBC Sports Network and NBC broadcast of the meet, USATF’s fully branded internet broadcasting outlet, USATF.tv, will go live this week to webcast unprecedented coverage of the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships and USA Junior Championships from Des Moines, Iowa.

With 50 hours of webcasting coverage and nine hours of national television coverage, 2013 marks USATF’s most aggressive national media distribution of a national championship to date.

“This weekend is just the start of our aggressive digital media strategy, which will build throughout the summer and into 2014,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “Fans will find more and more sophisticated event coverage, as well as a range of creative programming and behind-the-scenes footage as we continue to develop USATF.TV.”

USATF.tv, which is powered by media partner Runnerspace.com, will launch on Wednesday, June 19 with live coverage from 1 p.m.-7:20 p.m. ET and includes complete coverage of the Junior heptathlon and decathlon competition. Thursday coverage includes the finals of the men’s and women’s 10,000 meters. Current entries include 2012 Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp in the men’s race and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan and 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Kara Goucher in the women’s race.

With 50 hours of webcasting coverage, the schedule continues through June 23rd, with webcasts featuring running events, race walks and field events. The webcast will complement USATF’s robust TV coverage for the meet, which begins Friday, June 21 and includes nine hours of coverage of ESPN, Universal Sports, the NBC Sports Network and NBC. During the live TV broadcasts, the webcast will switch to field event coverage.

In addition, the USATF original program, “USATF 36: Sanya Richards-Ross” will debut on NBC Sports Network on Friday, June 21 from 7:00-7:30 p.m. ET and will re-air later that night, at 11:30 p.m. ET

USATF.TV Webcasting Schedule

2013 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and Junior Track & Field Championships

All times Eastern

June 19, 1pm to 7:20pm

June 20th, 11am to 10:25pm

June 21st, 11am to 10:35pm (Only field events from 8-10pm)

June 22nd, 7:30am to 7pm (Only field events from 4-7pm)

June 23rd, 8am to 6pm (Only field events from 3-6pm)

Broadcasting Schedule

USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

All times Eastern. Check Local Listings.

June 21, LIVE 8-10 p.m. on ESPN2

June 22, LIVE 4-5 p.m. on Universal Sports, LIVE 5-7 p.m. on NBC Sports Network

June 23, 2-3 p.m. on Universal Sports, LIVE 3-4 p.m. on NBC Sports Network, LIVE 4-6 p.m. on NBC

paulmerca.blogspot.com will begin its coverage of Washington athletes competing at the USA championships beginning Thursday.

NOTE:  USA Track & Field contributed to this report.