Selection Procedures

Selection for and operation of this event is being handled by the All American Trail Running Association. USATF's role is to see that the selection criteria and processes are fair and open.

Team Size

Requirements of All Athletes

All senior athletes MUST run a selection race in order to be considered for the team. Additionally, all team members MUST be current USATF members prior to running a selection race.

Senior Automatic Selection

• The top four U.S. males and the top one U.S. female finishers at the 2008 USA Mountain Running Championships will receive automatic selection to the team.
• The top one U.S. male and the top two U.S. female finishers at the Berry Picker Hill Climb (July 20) will receive automatic selection to the team.

Senior At-Large Selection

The remaining members of the team (one male, one female) will be selected based on results at the selection races, past World Trophy events, and national and international racing experience, including mountain, road, cross country, and track.

Junior Automatic Selection

• The top one junior male finisher, provided he finishes within 10% of the top female finisher and/or meets junior qualifying standards (see below), at the Berry Picker Hill Climb (July 20) will receive automatic selection to the team.

Junior At-Large Selection

For team consideration, a junior athlete must:

• Be at least 16 years of age, but not yet 20 in the year of competition.
• Have run 16:45 or better (junior men) and 19:30 or better (junior women) in a 5 km road or cross country event. (Equivalent times from an alternate race distance that translates to the aforementioned time criteria will be considered for distances other than 5 km.)
• Have experience running (in training and, preferably, racing) on courses similar to the event.
• Be mature, motivated, with a positive attitude to proudly represent the United States and sponsors internationally, under the rules of USATF and the event governing bodies.
• Have a letter of recommendation from a coach, parent, or mentor-runner.

Application Process

Resumes (including road, trail, track, and cross country results and current training info) will be accepted through July 21, 2008. Team members will be announced by August 1, 2008.

Interested athletes should submit running resumes to:

• For senior athletes:  Richard Bolt and Nancy Hobbs
• For junior athletes:  Dave Dunham