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I thought I would pass on this announcement about a new qualifying race for the Teva US Mountain Running Team that will take place July 15th on Mt. Tam. For you Dipsea/Headlands regulars (that means you, Roy), here's a shot to get on the US team that will compete in Switzerland this year.

Be sure to note that there are only 60 slots for the race, so be sure to sign up early if you're interested (you can do it here).

- SD

California to Host Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Selection Race

For the first time in the twenty-plus year history of the U.S. Mountain Running program, California will host a Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team Selection Race. “Having a selection race on the West Coast is a great opportunity for some new mountain runners to learn about our program. Chris Lundy, one of our two-time team members, has done an excellent job getting the permits secured for the event and scouting out a great course,” said Nancy Hobbs, manager of the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team.

The Mt. Tam Trophy Race will be held in Marin County on Sunday, July 15 with an 8:00 a.m. start time. The 6.5 mile route boasts an elevation change of 2100 feet, or approximately 650 feet per mile and is run entirely on trail, much of which is single track.

The staging area for the start and finish will be located one half mile south of Stinson Beach. The trailhead is at the intersection of Panoramic and Hwy 1 and the start line is one mile east which is visible from Panoramic Hwy. After the start and within one half mile, the course climbs 1000 feet up Steep Ravine Trail including a short ladder climb at 1.2 miles. Descent 1100 feet into Muir Woods to the three mile point, climb back out to Cardiac Hill and return down the famous Dipsea Trail to the finish.

Entries are limited to the first 60 competitors. Donations to the team are encouraged with your entry. The Mt. Tam Trophy Race is sponsored by La Sportiva and Accelerade.

The Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team will compete in the 23rd World Mountain Running Trophy in Saillon, Ovronnaz, Switzerland, during the weekend of September 14-16, 2007. This year’s Trophy races are up/down events (as opposed to even-numbered years when the events are held on uphill courses) with the senior men running three loops of the 4.050 kilometer course for a distance of just over 12km, the senior women and junior men running two loops of the 4.050 course for a distance slightly over 8km, while the junior women run one loop of the course at 4.050km.

The women’s team includes four athletes with the top three finishers scoring for the team. Six athletes will represent the men’s team with the top four finishers scoring. The junior men’s team includes a maximum of four with top three scoring while the junior women’s team is a maximum of three with the top two scoring. Team manager Nancy Hobbs, Colorado Springs, CO, team leader Richard Bolt, Portland, Oregon, team manager for the juniors Dave Dunham, Bradford, MA, and women’s team manager Ellen Miller, Vail, CO will accompany the team to Switzerland.

At the Mt. Tam Trophy Race, the top U.S. male and top U.S. female finisher will receive an automatic team berth. This is the third and final team selection race. The first selection race will be the USA Mountain Running Championships hosted at Mt. Cranmore on June 24 in North Conway, NH. The top two U.S. men and the top U.S. woman finisher at Mt. Cranmore will receive automatic berths on the team. The USA Trail Championships on June 30 in Steamboat Springs will serve as the second selection race where the top two U.S. men, and top U.S. woman will receive automatic berths.

The remaining members of the open squad, (one male, one female), will be selected by the Mountain Ultra Trail Council with input from the team staff based on results at the selection races, past World Trophy events, national and international racing experience including mountain, road, cross country, and track. Athletes MUST run a selection race in order to be considered for the team. To be considered for the team all team members MUST be current USATF members prior to running a selection race. Interested athletes should submit running resumes to: Richard Bolt (r_boltski@yahoo.com) and Nancy Hobbs (trlrunner@aol.com).

The junior squad (athletes at least 16 years of age in the year of competition and not yet 20) will be selected based on the following criteria:

· Must have posted a 16:45 or better (junior men) and 19:30 or better (junior women) in a 5K road or cross country event. (Equivalent times – from an alternate race distance that translate to the aforementioned time criteria – will be considered for distances other than 5Km.)

· Must have experience running (in training and preferably racing) on courses similar to the event.

· Must 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.

· A letter of recommendation from a coach, parent, or mentor-runner must accompany the athlete resume.

Resumes from juniors (including road, trail, track, and cross country results and current training info) will be accepted by Dave Dunham, dave.dunham@comcast.net, through July 15. Late breaking information and results can be added until July 31.

The 2007 Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team will be announced by August 1.