5 November 2007
European Mountain Running Championships
Zell am Harmersbach, Germany
Saturday 12 July 2008
Selection Policy
The European Mountain Running Championships (uphill and down) will be held in Zell am Harmersbach, Germany on 12 July 2008.
The official trial will be held in Sedbergh, Cumbria on 22 June 2008.
It is UK Athletics intention to send a senior men and women’s team to these championships with athletes of the appropriate standard for this level of competition. UK Athletics are committed to sending the strongest possible mountain running team to the European Championships. The selectors reserve the right, where performance standards are not considered sufficient, to not select full senior teams.
The senior men and women’s teams will consist of up to four athletes to run, with the first two eligible athletes in each trial race being automatically selected. The selectors will fill the remaining places based on all known form, with greatest emphasis being placed on performances at the trial; however other relevant performances in other endurance events will also be taken into consideration.
The European Athletics Association (EAA) has for the second successive year taken the decision to host a demonstration event for juniors. As part of the development process for mountain running, UK Athletics have taken the decision for 2008 to support the junior events with talented individuals as a competition opportunity.
There will be no automatic selections for juniors from the trial race. However, talented individuals who show outstanding performances on the mountains may be selected to compete in the demonstration races. All other relevant performances in other endurance events will also be taken into consideration.
Selection will take place immediately after the trial and the team announced on Tuesday 24 June 2008. Selection of all athletes is subject to agreement of the athlete’s racing programme by the Chair of Selectors Sarah Rowell between the trial and the Championships.
All eligible athletes are expected to compete at the trial. Any athlete who is unable to compete at the trial and wishes to be considered for selection must ensure they make their situation known to the Chair of selectors Sarah Rowell before the trial.
Further information on the trial race will be advertised closer to the event via the UKA and FRA websites and other relevant athletic publications.
