Development of Young Athletes

[Graham Breeze]

It has puzzled me for some time that we have a Championship that has races of mixed distances. It would be akin to a track and field series where we had 6 races say 200m, 800m, 3000m, 10000m, Half Marathon, Marathon. to Marathon with 4 from 6 to count and you must have a 800m or under and an over HM in there.

I'm surprised we don't have a Short Champs, a Medium Champs and a Long Champs.

You only have to ask dear boy!

History.

Originally "the Championship" was "Fellrunner of the Year" and it was based on points accrued in virtually every race in the Calendar (ie over 30- thirty) so more races= more points. Over the years it has been refined: fewer races, different formats, women, vets, and British/English & etc.

But the Champs. test what they test. Not what some refugee from T&F thinks they should test.

However every few years, the question is asked about revitalising the British Champs. which is a poor relation of the English, and "just one race" or "3 different Championships" is suggested. But, as we see, it hasn't happened and I doubt if it will anytime soon.