FACES IN THE CROWD

Ruth Anderson, 44, a radiochemist from Oakland, Calif. who started running 18 months ago, beat the current world-record holder to win the National AAU women's marathon, over-40 division, in 3:20:59 at San Mateo. Her best time since is 3:20:18.

Schuyler Helbing, 15, of Weatherford, Texas, women's national prone rifle champion, took a gold medal in the English match (prone) and three silvers for standard and free rifle 3-position, and air rifle, at the Benito Juarez international competition in Mexico City.

Mike Johnson, a freshman at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Calif., led his swimming team to its ninth state junior college championship, winning the 1,650-yard freestyle and setting a national JC record in the 500-free with a time of 4:30.78.

Todd Berry, 11, a sixth-grader at Jefferson (Ga.) Junior High, ran the 440-yard dash in 58.5 to break the world age-group record of 59.7 held by Washington D.C.'s David Saunders. Todd, who also plays football, has added a 16'6" mark in the long jump.

Jim Huff, 26, of Waterford, Mich., covered 430 miles to become the top mileage winner of the 14th Annual Pepsi-Wolverine 24-hour, 200-mile Bicycle Marathon on Belle Isle, finishing in front of 1,000 entrants and pedaling 70 miles more than last year's winner.

Thomas Cullum, 15, of Evansville, Ind., earned national rankings in two different sports. He finished third in the U.S. Junior Olympic fencing championship, then placed 11th in the National Pentathlon event for 21-and-under, winning a bronze for riding.

SIX PHOTOS