Selection Procedures

Team size:  5 men, plus 1 alternate (non-traveling); 5 women, plus 1 alternate (non-traveling)

Team Composition

Men's automatic selections: Two (2) positions will be offered (based on rank order of finish) among the top 5 finishers at the 2008 USA Half Marathon Championship; one (1) position will be offered (based on rank order of finish) among the top 3 finishers at the 2008 USA 25 km Championships; and one (1) position will be offered (based on rank order of finish) among the top 3 finishers at the 2008 USA 20 km Championships; final position(s) will be offered based on a list of performances from January 1, 2008 through September 7, 2008. Only athletes who have achieved performances at 20 km, 25 km, and/or half marathon in 2008 that equate to 1:04:00 or better for the half marathon will be considered for selection (20 km and 25 km performances will be converted according to the Mercier Tables).

Men's at-large selections: If position(s) remain unfilled, performance list(s) will be used with consideration of 20 km, half marathon, and 25 km times from January 1, 2008 through September 7, 2008.

Women's automatic selections: Two (2) positions will be offered (based on rank order of finish) among the top 5 finishers at 2008 USA Half Marathon Championships; two (2) positions will be offered (based on rank order of finish) among the top 10 finishers at the 2008 USA 20 km Championships.

Women's at-large selections: If position(s) remain unfilled, performance list(s) will be used with consideration of 15 km - 25 km times from September 4, 2006 through September 7, 2008.

Team Selection Process

• Priority will be given to performances at USA Championships and/or events named as selection races.
• Remaining positions will be named from road and track performances.
• Road performances used to evaluate potential team members must be run on USATF-certified courses.
• Track performances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Performances at similar distances may be used for specific team selections (e.g., 20 km, half marathon, or 25 km for 20 km Team).
• For promotional and travel purposes, all teams will be named at least 30 days prior to the event (unless otherwise noted), with the exception of substitutions based on illness, injury, or fitness.
• Athletes must accept or reject an offered team position within 48 hours after receiving an invitation.
• In the case of the need for a substitute, the team coach/manager and USATF will agree on a replacement athlete.
• Active athletes on the selection committee will exclude themselves from decisions regarding teams for which they hope to be selected.
• USATF reserves the right to name athletes who have demonstrated exceptional fitness, provided the athlete has expressed interest and demonstrated fitness at least 30 days prior to the selection of the team. When and where applicable, any selected athlete must show proof of fitness to the satisfaction of the selection committee.
• Final selections will be made by USATF at the discretion of the selection committee.