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2004 Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Selection Process

January 15, 2004

The Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team will compete in the 20th World Mountain Running Trophy in Sauze d’Oulx, Italy with the senior women, junior men, and junior women running on September 4 and the senior men running on September 5. Additionally, an open race will be held on September 5. This year’s Trophy races are uphill only events (as opposed to odd-numbered years when the events are held on uphill/downhill courses) with the senior men running 10.14km, the senior women and junior men running 8.46km, and the junior women running 3.57km.

The women’s team includes four athletes and an alternate with the top three finishers scoring for the team. Six athletes and an alternate represent the men’s team with the top four finishers scoring. The junior men’s team includes a maximum of four with top three scoring while the junior women’s team is a maximum of three with the top two scoring. The alternates will run in the Open race, or should another athlete be unable to compete, in the Trophy race. A team leader and a junior team manager will accompany the team to Italy.

At the USATF annual convention in Greensboro, North Carolina in December 2003, the Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Council chose two races from which automatic qualifiers to the US team will be selected. The USA Mountain Running Championships will be hosted by the Mt. Washington Hill Climb, a 7.6 mile uphill race slated for June 19 in Gorham, NH. The top three US men and the top two US women finishers at Mt. Washington will receive automatic berths on the team. The Vail HillClimb, a 7.5 mile uphill climb, on July 4 in Vail, CO will serve as the second and final selection race where the top US woman and the top two US men receive automatic berths. The Vail HillClimb also serves as the inaugural North American Central American Caribbean Championships (NACAC).

The remaining members of the squad, (two men and two women), will be selected by the MUT Council based on results at the selection races, past World Trophy events, national and international racing experience including mountain, road, cross country, and track. The heaviest weight will be placed on finishes in the selection races. To be considered for the team all team members must be current USATF members prior to running a selection race. Interested athletes should submit running resumes to:

Richard Bolt (rbolt@emersonecologics.com)

or

Nancy Hobbs (trlrunner@aol.com)

The team will be selected based on the following criteria (Note: Must be current USATF members prior to the selection race):
  • The top three U.S. males and the top two U.S. female finishers at the Mt. Washington Hill Climb (June 19), our USA Mountain Running Championships, receive automatic berths.
  • The top two U.S. men and top woman finisher at the Vail HillClimb (July 4) in Vail, CO receive automatic berths.

The remaining team members will be selected by the 15-member USATF Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Council based on:

  • Results in the above named races.
  • Prior World Mountain Running Trophy performances.
  • International mountain results.
  • National mountain results.
  • Regional mountain results.
  • Trail and road results

Juniors Team Selection – 2004 Teva US Mountain Running Team

  • Must have posted a 17:30 or better (boys) and 20:00 or better (girls) in a 5K road or cross country event. (Equivalent times will be considered for distances other than 5K.)
  • Must have experience running (in training or racing) on uphill-only courses.
  • A letter of recommendation from a coach, parent, or mentor-runner must accompany the athlete resume.

We will select a minimum of three junior men and two junior women. Resumes (including road, trail, track, and cross country results) will be accepted through July 1. Team members will be announced by July 15, 2004.

Each Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Member receives the following:

  • Official team apparel
  • Teva footwear
  • Airline ticket to Italy, or a minimum of $600 - whichever is less (alternates may have to pick up their travel and lodging expenses)
  • Lodging and meals for the 4-night/5-day stay in Saux d’Oulx

For additional information, visit the websites listed below:

USA Mountain Running Championships (Mt. Washington) www.gsrs.com
Vail HillClimb www.vailrec.com
World Mountain Running Trophy www.wmra.info
USA Track & Field www.usatf.org



 

 



 

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Last updated: 09/14/05
Web Author: Lorraine Gersitz