Crunch time at Keswick's 'big weekend'
Keswick and Latrigg
Domestically it doesn’t get much more pressurised than this. This Sunday (16) trials races for places at the World Mountain Running Championships and the Commonwealth Mountain Running Championships are up for grabs, all in one race.
The racing is to be held on the very same course that will be used for the Commonwealth champs in September, at Fitz Park, taking in Briar Rigg and Latrigg. Since changing status in 2009 – from Trophy to Championships – the Worlds are now open to one UK team, as opposed to the four home nations, so competition should be fierce for the chosen few.
The UKA selection criteria for the World Champs are :
- The senior men’s teams will consist of up to six athletes to run, with the first three eligible athletes in the trial race being automatically selected.
- The senior women’s and junior men’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 junior women’s team will consist of up to three/four athletes to run, with at least the first eligible athlete in the 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.
- Selection will take place immediately after the trial and the team announced on Tuesday 18th August 2009.
- All eligible athletes are expected to compete at the trial.
As far as the Commonwealths are concerned:
Wales
- The teams will consist of six male/female athletes, the first two male/female athletes in the trial race will be automatically selected, the remaining places will be decided on current form with the emphasis being placed on performances in the trial race.
Scotland
Selection date: 18th August
- Maximum 24 athletes (6 men and 6 women – uphill, 6 men and 6 women – up and down)
Selection to be based on current form, in particular the UK trials for European (uphill) and World (up and down) teams. Results in appropriate quality races, especially those in short and medium British Championship Races (up and down) and the World Grand Prix Series (uphill) will also be considered.
- Athletes of appropriate experience and ability may be selected for both races at the discretion of the selectors. Selection is open to athletes aged 18 or over on 31st December 2009.
England
Teams: A maximum of 6 Athletes in each race
- Up and down trial: The first 2 male and female runners will gain automatic selection, the remaining places to be decided by the selectors. All eligible athletes are expected to run the trial, anyone unable to run and wanting to be considered for selection must inform Alan Barlow, by 16th August.
- Uphill Only Races: There will not be a separate trial, selection will be made on known fitness and uphill performances. Runners wanting to be considered only for the uphill team will not need to do the up and down trial. It will be possible for runners to be selected for both the uphill and up and down teams, but that will come down to the selectors discretion. All runners wanting to be considered for uphill selection need to let the chair of selectors (Alan Barlow) know by 16th August with details of race performances.
- Selection is also open to some junior athletes, to meet the criteria the athlete must turn 18 years old by the 31st December 2009. Selection will be made by 19th August 2009. Selection will also be subject to agreeing a race programme from the trial up to the Championship races. The selectors reserve the right not to send full teams, if they believe a minimum standard has not been achieved.
Nick Swinburn
At time of writing we have no access to start sheets, so there is a little guess work involved in contender predictions. As far as candidates go the European Trial races might be a good start point and a pointer to form. However, a well informed source tells us that Nick Swinburn will be a lot closer in the men’s race this time round, being in a rich vein of race-form and flying in training. What should be noted here though is that the course is an up and down, more traditional fell, so some of our better-known fell-regulars may well be in the shake up come Sunday PM.
In the women’s race Kate Goodhead is obviously fired up for this one, and will be tough to beat. But with the course well known to many there could well be a strong challenge from some our more seasoned female fell runners. A look at some of the recent big races, such as the British champs series, would also provide some insight – especially in the form of Pippa Jackson and Katie Ingram, should they decide to run.
Katie Ingram
So, those selectors are going to have their work cut out after the dust has settled on this little lot. What we can say is that mountain running and fell racing will be the winner in all of this, and it’s great to see elite mountain running taking its place at the head table in the UK running scene.
