31 January 2019

British Athletics has today confirmed its desire to field full senior teams in March’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships. The biennial event, which this year takes place in Aarhus, Denmark on the 30 March, marks the climax of the winter season for endurance athletes.

British Athletics consider the IAAF World Cross Country Championships as a stepping stone towards success at future global track and field championships – both for high quality senior endurance athletes and developing junior athletes – and therefore expect to select senior and junior teams, up to six per team, to travel to Aarhus.

All athletes wishing to be selected for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships are required to compete at the official trials, which take place as part of the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in Loughborough on March 9.

The published selection policy for the event guarantees selection for the first two senior athletes in each trial race, with additional athletes added to senior teams where the Selection Panel believe that there is realistic potential for the team to finish at least in the top 6 in Aarhus.

But British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black has confirmed that the panel expect and intend to fill all team positions and are looking forward to a hotly contested trial race on 9 March.

“We know there is a huge interest in sending full teams and giving athletes the opportunity to compete, especially with the championships returning to Europe, and it is our intention to ensure we use this year’s IAAF World Cross Country positively to benefit endurance athletes who will be targeting a later than usual World championships in Doha and eventually Tokyo,” he said.

“We’re looking for athletes to commit fully to the trial races and demonstrate form, but there is no reason why the British athletes cannot compete well in Aarhus and put in strong individual and team performances. We’re not looking at this as an ‘if’ we send full teams, the view point is ‘how competitive’ they will be and we’re looking forward to seeing athletes grab this opportunity and delivering for the British team.”

Interim CEO Nigel Holl added:

“It is great to give opportunities for more athletes to compete at a global level, and we know athletes have been concerned they wouldn’t get the chance to compete in the world cross country this year.

“The message is clear, we’re committed to selecting a full squad and the performance team have backed that approach 100%, all we ask is that athletes commit to the trial event and prioritise the competition in their winter schedule.

“The Inter-Counties Cross Country is a great race and knowing team spaces are waiting, we are looking forward to seeing a day of superb competition in Loughborough in March.”