02 February 2009

The Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team will base themselves in the same town earmarked for Team GB’s 2012 Olympic Holding Camp in preparation for March’s World Cross Country Championships in Jordan.

The Military Defence Medical Services Training Centre at Aldershot will play host to the GB & NI Team on 18-24 March before they depart to the Middle East for the World Cross which takes place on 28 March.

The venue offers a four acre sports field, access to canal paths and running trails, access to a nearby running track, fully-equipped gymnasium including full range of cardio and strength and conditioning equipment, basic single room accommodation and access to the officers mess, including a chef assigned specifically to the team for their dietary requirements.

Ian Stewart, National Coach for Endurance, UK Athletics said: “The venue is perfect for our needs. There are quality and varied running options, all the equipment required for a gym work-out, the accommodation is comfortable and the food will be good.  So we will be able to work hard, but also rest and recover appropriately too.

“Endurance running requires a simple, straightforward lifestyle and Aldershot will allow us to do that. It is self contained, there are no distractions at all and it will enable us to really concentrate on the task in hand.”

Aldershot Barracks, which is located only a 10 minute drive away, was announced as the Team GB 2012 Olympic Holding Camp by the British Olympic Association in January 2008.