The Australian Mountain Running Championships (veterans, juniors, open age group) are being held on Mt Tennent, 20 mins south of Tharwa in the ACT on Saturday week, 22 May. The race program is:
12pm Australian junior men’s 8kms
12.20pm Australian M50, M55, M60, M65 and M70 and over 6kms
12.20pm Australian junior women’s and W50, W55, W60, W65 and W70 and over 6kms
12.30pm Australian open and W35, W40 and W45 women’s 8kms
1.00pm Australian open and M35, M40 and M45 men’s 11 kms
Entries so far are fairly light on, partly because of runners seeing how they pull up from the Canberra Road Running Festival and other events, and partly because of a misconception that the event is only for elite runners. In fact it is open to anyone fit enough to run/walk to the summit and then walk/run back down.
If you are considering having a run, please do so as soon as possible by entering online at www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au, where you can also see who has already entered.
The Championships are the principal selection trial for the World Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia on 5 September 2010. Runners who wish to be considered for selection in the Australian team must be a currently registered member of an athletics club and must complete the application form in the High Performance section of this website. This should be mailed before the Australian Championships or hand delivered at the Championships.
Several helpers are still needed. Please ring on 0427 107 033 or email hackettrunner@hotmail.com
The principal fund raising event for the Australian mountain running team is the Bush Capital Bush Marathon Festival in Canberra on Saturday 31 July. It offers 2k, 5k, 10k, 16k, 25k, 42.2k, 60k and 42.2k relay runs, and 5k, 10k, 16k and 25k bush walks. Full details and online registration are available at www.mountainrunning.coolrunning.com.au, Many helpers are needed and can also register their interest online.
John Harding
President
Australian Mountain Running Association