Quote Originally Posted by Witton Park View Post
I think as a further point, about the selection of athletes not in the trial, I would say that Andi Jones and Steve Vernon would probably be our strongest runners but clearly they have a varied set of commitments including road and cross country.

That is not to denigrate any of our fell runners. You have to be in it to win it.

I personally think there should be more places allocated to the trial and less discretion with the wild cards, but there are also relevant reasons why this isn't done.
I completely agree WP about emphasis being put on a trial, but until somene decides the outcome of the selection will be purely on a trial we will always have a situation where people get selected who are not at a trial. Many selection races which we have now, and I dont mean just in Fell and Mountain running, people often believe the trial is just one way of getting on a team. I wasn't in the country when this trial took place and as it happens I have just withdrew from the team.
Good luck to everyone running. I hope some medals come to those in the teams. They all deserve them.