UK Athletics has confirmed that Steve Vernon will be leaving his role as World Class Programme (WCP) Endurance Performance Manager later next month.

Vernon has been responsible for leading the WCP in this area through the last Olympic cycle with his final event being the Paris Olympic Games.

In the Endurance Performance Manager role, he has worked closely with Chris Jones, who continues to develop the Endurance Strategy for UKA and worked closely with key stakeholders within UK Athletics and Home Country Athletic Federations to ensure that the development pathway into the WCP has been aligned and connected.

Vernon said:

“This decision has not been made lightly and is in no way a reflection of my time working for UKA or the enjoyment the role has given me. I have had the privilege of working with truly fantastic athletes and coaches through two World Championship years and an incredibly successful Olympic Games.

“However, with a growing young family, I have struggled with the time spent away from them. The role demands and deserves a huge amount of commitment, travel, and time away at championships and altitude camps, and it is the best time to make this change at the end of a Games cycle.

“I wish everyone in the endurance team the very best, and I will continue to be the biggest champion of the work they do in supporting our endurance athletes and coaches.”

Olympic Head Coach Paula Dunn said:

“We are sad to be losing Steve after such a successful couple of years but the work he has done alongside Chris Jones has put the endurance team in a great position and we’re in good shape to move forward onwards to LA.

“We’ll review and confirm our next steps for the role in the coming weeks, but for now we wish Steve all the best and our heartfelt thanks for a great job.”