SELECTION FOR ANGLIAN AND ESAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

 The first three events listed above (Area, A and B races) help us decide who to select for the Anglian Counties Championships.  We take up to 16 runners for the regional inter-county Cross Country event and then select 8 ( plus 4 reserves) for the English Schools national event. Minors (years 6 and 7) are not allowed to enter the national event.

The three listed events represent our trials. A top 50 place in the first race  leads to selection to compete in the A race. A top 50 place in the A race leads to selection for our final event in Suffolk,  the B race. After the B race, we select, based on those three events, the athletes to represent Suffolk at the regional event. Runners who feel they underperformed (or were not able to attend) at any of the first two events (and were as a consequence not invited to the next one) are welcome to apply (contact the team manager for the relevant age range) to compete in the next event and they will be automatically accepted.

After the Anglian race we take the results from all four races into account to decide on the team for the English Schools national championships. We take into account any injury or illness that we are aware of. It is essential therefore that within one week after an event the lead manager and the relevant team manager are emailed with details of any difficulties as to why a runner could not compete (this would also include exams)  or if they feel there is a valid reason for any under-performance (e.g. fell on the race).

It is in an athlete’s best interest to run in all three events and then in the regional event. Competing in just one race makes it more difficult to select a runner. Runners should be aware that even if they finish in the top 8 position in each race there is no guarantee that they will be selected for the regional or national event. We discuss each athlete at length between the team manager and the lead team manager. We take into account performance in all four races alongside knowledge of any injuries/illnesses. Whilst the most recent races will be the most relevant, we will look at performances in all, including times in the first race at RHS. The decision made by the lead team manager is final.

Sue Hargadon

(lead team manager and secretary for Cross Country)

suehargadon@outlook.com