19 April 2011

UKA today announced Jo Pavey as one of eight athletes selected to represent the Aviva GB&NI team at the 2011 World Championships team following her impressive Virgin London Marathon debut.

Pavey (coach: Gavin Pavey) ran 2:28.24 on Sunday 17 April, which is not only within the “A” individual standard for the championships in Daegu, South Korea this summer but also good enough for the Olympic Games ‘B’ standard of 2:35.00.

Last weekend, which coincided with the London Marathon, was the final opportunity for athletes to meet standards or show fitness over lesser distances. Louise Damen (self coached) and Susan Partridge (coach: John Montgomery) also took to the streets of the capital and gained selection with their respective 2:30.00 (individual) and 2:34.13 (team) performances.

Following withdrawal from the marathon, due to injury in January earlier this year,  Mara Yamauchi (coach: Shige Yamauchi) is named to compete as an individual in Korea following a completed and approved fitness test -at the request of head coach Charles van Commenee.

Alyson Dixon (coach: Liz McColgan) achieved  team selection with her time of 2:34.51 set at the Brighton Marathon just a few weeks ago and backed up by a 2010 New York Marathon time of 2:42.00. Although the Brighton course was not listed by the IAAF as a ratified course, due to a late submission of paperwork, selectors agreed that in respect to course measurement the time run is legal in terms of accuracy and therefore meets the sub 2:35.00 time needed for selection.

Three British men ran in London and were subsequently selected, all meeting the UK Athletics’ ‘team’ standard of 2:16 for the IAAF World Championships. They are led by Lee Merrien (coach: John Nuttall), the first men’s British finisher from the Virgin London Marathon in 14th with a lifetime best mark of 2:14.27.

He is joined by Andrew Lemoncello (coach: Greg McMillan), who made his debut over 26.2 miles in London last year and clocked a solid 2:15.24 this time around.  Dave Webb (coach: Bud Baldaro), finished third Brit in 2:17.41 after falling off the pace in the latter stages of the race. But his time of 2:15.42 ran in Seville in early 2010 secured his place on the flight to Korea.

UKA Head of Endurance Ian Stewart said: “The positive performances at the weekend have made us able to select strong teams for the World Championships in Daegu. After a great European Championships in Barcelona for both the men’s and women’s teams we are keeping that momentum going into the 2011 summer season and are confident these athletes will represent the Aviva GB&NI team well in Korea.”

AVIVA GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM

Women

Louise Damen (self coached) Winchester – individual

Alyson Dixon (coach: Liz McColgan) Chester-le-Street- team

Susan Partridge (coach: John Montgomery) Leeds City- team

Jo Pavey (coach: Gavin Pavey) Exeter- individual

Mara Yamauchi (coach: Shige Yamauchi) Harrow- individual

Men

Andrew Lemoncello (coach: Greg McMillan) Fife- team

Lee Merrien (coach: John Nuttall) Newham & Essex Beagles- team

Dave Webb (coach:  Bud Baldaro) Leeds City- team

For full 2011 World Championships Selection Policies please visit: http://www.uka.org.uk/world-class/2011-selection-policies/