A new qualification system for selecting national teams
The data below outlines a new system to be implemented that will allow for a more fair process of selecting teams to represent South Africa at international championships.
During 2013 we simply select the first runners at a national championship and that can be problematic if a top runner does not feature in the top four in the race for reasons beyond his/her control.
Our Competition Committee has decided that from hereon other events (in the same distance category) before a national championship will be used as qualifying races to allow for a better opportunity to qualify for a national team. The system will also be used for other purposes but that will be discussed in future.
The system will be implemented in phases and the first category to be in effect is the WMRA long distance, with its 2014 World championship event as the Pikes Peak marathon (42km) in Colorado, USA on August 12, 2014.
Qualifying races
The following races have been selected by the Competition Committee as qualifying races for this purpose:
February
Sat, 8 Spur Sillvermine Mountain XL, Muizenberg, WP 34km
March
Sat, 1 Addo Elephant Trail Run, Kirkwood, Eastern Cape 44km
Sat, 1 Lisa’s Forest Run, Belfast, Mpumalanga 35km
Sat, 29 Wild Dog Extreme Trail, Hartbeespoort, Gauteng 50km
April
Sat, 5 Ingeli Skymarathon, Kokstad, KZN 42km
Sat, 26 Somkhanda Rhino Run, Pongola, KZN 50km
Sat, 26 Oorlogskloof Mt. Trail Run, Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape 42km
(please note that this race is for teams only)
May
Sun, 4 Jonkershoek Mt. Challenge, Stellenbosch, Boland 35km
Sat, 10 Mnweni Marathon, Bergville, KZN 38km
June
Sat, 14 Outeniqua Traverse on June 14, 2014 in George – SA Championship, SWD 38km
1. The focus is on races between 34km and 50km in the time period from now until the SA Championship and we attempted to ensure a spread all over the country, as well as the time period from now to August.
2. The principle is that runners can run any race they want and as many as they want from this list but only the two best performances over this time period will count, including the SA Champs in August. This rule will be in fairness to those who cannot afford the various entry fees or travelling costs, as well as to (hopefully) keep runners from racing too much.
3. Using this system, the national team will be decided as follows:
3.1 The winner and second placed runner at the SA Champs in August will be automatically chosen for the team, irrespective of their points from the system.
3.2 The two runners with the most points AFTER the championships (using their best two races), EXCLUDING the two winners on the day, will be the next choices for the team. However, these positions must first be ratified by the Competition Committee before the official team will be announced. This is done to take into account any unusual circumstances that may have an impact on team selection.
3.3 The reserves for such a team will be selected from the qualifying ranking list and not the race on the day.
4. If the championship race itself is not held or completed for any reason (weather, safety concerns, etc.), the team will be selected solely based on the qualifying races that precede the championships event.
5. The financial implications for team members to attend an international event will be announced before the national championships.
6. The points system to be used for this system will be explained and discussed in a separate letter.
All queries, suggestions or criticism are welcome.
source: Trail and Mountain Running Committee
Speak Your Mind