Selection Procedures

Team size: 3 men, plus 1 alternate; 3 women, plus 1 alternate

Men's automatic selections: none

Men's at-large selections: Positions will be filled from a list of best road 5 km - 15 km performances, as well as 5 km and 10 km track performances (based on rank order) from January 1, 2009 to October 11, 2009.

Women's automatic selections: none

Women's at-large selections: Positions will be filled from a list of best road performances 5km to 10 km as well as 5km and 10km track performances based on rank order from June 1, 2009 to October 12, 2009.

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.