The 2018 USATF Mountain Running Championships to be held at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire on Sunday, July 8, 2018, will be the sole selection race for the U.S. Mountain Running Team where the top 4 men and top 4 women to finish will earn spots on the team. Athletes must be USATF members prior to the race, U.S. Citizens and eligible to represent USA in international competition. The event in New Hampshire also serves as the 15th NACAC Mountain Running Championships.
The Junior Mountain Running Team Selection:
Athletes ages 16-19, who are interested in the Junior Mountain Running Team, need not run a qualifying race. It is however encouraged that junior athletes train and/or race in a mountain running environment/race to help provide them with the necessary experience to excel in the sport. The junior men’s team includes a maximum of four runners with the top three scoring. The junior women’s team is comprised of a maximum of four runners with the top three scoring.
Junior runners should fill out the application form at www.usmrt.com, including personal bests and noteworthy performances. Junior men should have a16:45 or better 5 km road or XC time and junior women should have a time of 19:30 or better. Equivalent times from alternate race distances will be considered. In addition juniors must supply a letter of recommendation from a parent/guardian or coach. All runners must be current USATF members and U.S. citizens.
Junior Age Requirement: Junior athletes must be between the ages of 16 and 19 on December 31, 2018 to be eligible to compete on the 2018 U.S. Junior Mountain Running Team.
Deadline to Apply is July 1, 2018. Team announcement will be made during the week of July 9.
The U.S. Mountain Running Team will compete at the 2018 World Mountain Running Championships which will be held in Canillo, Andorra, on Saturday, September 15, 2018.
If you are interested in learning more about the team, contact USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council chairperson Nancy Hobbs at nanohobbs at gmail dot com; U.S. Mountain Running Team Leader Richard Bolt at richardbolt at trailrunner dot com; U.S. Mountain Running Women’s Team Manager Ellen Miller at alpineellen at gmail dot com; or U.S. Manger of the Junior Team Paul Kirsch at pkirsch2 at gmail dot com.
To follow the U.S. Mountain Running program visit www.usatf.org, and www.usmrt.com.
