KEENE, N.H. 1/31/07 - Mark Miller was looking forward to returning to Keene State this weekend. He, along with members of his 1999 and 2000 Owl men's cross country teams, are being inducted into the College's Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday.

But his plans changed a few weeks ago when he selected to run in the prestigious Armagh Road Race and a 6K cross country event in Ireland. "I was really looking forward to seeing some of my teammates, but I'm sure they'll understand," said Miller, a four-time national champion and 10-time All-American at KSC. "This is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity."

Runners from all over the world compete in the 17th Armagh Race, which takes place on Saturday. "It's a great honor to have someone from Keene State represented in international competition," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas.

Miller, now competing for the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), was one of seven runners selected to represent the United States in the race. Miller earned a spot based on his performances this fall when he finished fifth at the New England Cross Country Championship at Franklin Park in Boston and third in the Flattery five-mile race in Fitchburg.

"The United States sends over a small group of runners," said Miller, a native of Shelburne Falls, Mass. "They always pick someone from the New England because of its rich running tradition and the close link between the region and Ireland."

Miller, a special education para-professional at Keene High School, said he enjoys running as a professional, but misses the collegiate atmosphere. "The biggest difference is the level of motivation," he said. "It's tough to match the motivation in college when 25 other runners are counting on you. Now its all-self motivated, which is difficult at times. But a race like this gets you really excited."