MARYLAND HEIGHTS • A St. Peters man was in critical condition today after he was hit by a car during a race on Sunday.

Chris Lister, 25, of the 300 block of Newport Drive, was running in Missouri Running Co.'s MRC/JK ten-mile race about 8 a.m. on Sunday morning when he was struck by a vehicle, said Capt. Bill Carson of the Maryland Heights Police Department.

Lister and other runners were running in the eastbound lane of River Valley Drive just west of the Maryland Heights Expressway when a car traveling the same direction moved into the westbound lane and tried to pass them, Carson said.

Lister made a U-turn at the five-mile marker, which was marked by two orange cones, and stepped into the path of the vehicle, which hit him, Carson said. According to the police report, Lister was either distracted or not paying attention.

"There's nothing in the report that indicates that the driver of the vehicle was at fault," Carson said.

Lister was unconscious at the scene and was taken to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, where he was in critical condition Thursday. Stephanie Swanson, 23, Lister's girlfriend, said doctors were concerned about pressure in his brain from the severe head injury he suffered in the crash.

"We're taking it day by day, we're asking for prayers for a full recovery and we're staying optimistic," Swanson said. "They don't know at this point what is going to happen, but every good piece of news, every improvement, gives us hope."

Lister has competed in at least a dozen races since July 4, when he and Swanson ran their first competitive race together, a 5K. In October Lister ran a half-marathon, finishing in 1 hour and 53 minutes, and in his three races before Sunday he placed in the top three within the 20-29 age group.

"He's been such an incredible motivation for me," Swanson said of her boyfriend, who has been helping her train for her own half-marathon in April.

Maryland Heights requires anyone conducting a special event to apply to the chief of police for a permit. Missouri Running Co. did not apply for a permit for this race, Carson said.

Missouri Running Co. declined to comment. The running apparel store has two locations in the St. Louis area and one in Cape Girardeau. They host regular running events and races throughout the region.

Swanson said she has seen police officers or volunteers directing traffic in most of the races she and Lister have run together. But safety is not usually on her radar when she enters a race, she said.

"You're expecting when you sign that waiver for that to be taken care of for you," she said.

Steve Mrotek, an aeronautical analyst and amateur runner who organized races for Missouri Running Co. until this past July, said even when the proper permit is obtained, runners are at risk in races on roads. Most races don't shut down neighborhood streets, he said.

Mrotek, who has been running for more than 30 years and organizing races for about a dozen, said he recalled at least three or four times when runners have been hit by cars, including one incident during the St. Louis Marathon in the early 90's.

"I try to advertise to the runners, 'The police are out there, but the roads aren't closed, so be safe out there,'" he said. "And then you just have to hope nothing happens."

Though they don't guarantee safety, Mrotek said, the first thing on his list when he plans a race is to get a permit.

"I've been around long enough that I've heard from experts to do the right thing and get your permit," he said. "You can't just assume you can run anywhere without having the authorities know about it."

Mrotek no longer works with Missouri Running Co. and was not involved in Sunday's race.

Sunday's incident is still under investigation, Carson said.

"We don't have all the answers just yet," he said.