Great start to the 2013 hill running season with both races being very well supported and attracting quality athletes, who showed some very good early season form. It was interesting to see how closely both races were contested, with hard fought battles throughout the field. At this early stage it looks as if both the Championship and Grand Prix are going to provide close and exciting racing. Many thanks to both clubs for organising excellent events.

We can now look forward to the start of the Hill and Dale Race Series and the British and NIMRA Championship Race at Silent Valley.

It is NIMRA’S intention to select teams to compete in the following events:

Inter-Counties Championship

Sunday 19^th May…..Settle Hills          Venue: Settle (GR SD819633)

11.3 km, 400m climb

Round 1 UK Mountain Running Challenge.

www.settleharriers.org

Teams: 4 senior men and 4 senior women. See FRA calendar.

Selection will be based on current form up until 27^th April.

Some athletes have already expressed an interest in this event and looking at early season results this is definitely a championship that we should be confident in achieving a good team result.(podium)

Senior Home International (Uphill)

Saturday 25^th May     Skiddaw          Venue: Keswick

Details for this event can be found here.

Senior/U23 Women’s Race 9.3km,990m climb,140m descent

Senior/U23 Men’s Race 11.7km, 1100m climb,250m descent

Round 2 UK Mountain Running Challenge.

Teams for both women’s and men’s events comprise a maximum of six athletes. Up to 4 of the athletes may be seniors (born before 1991), with the remainder of the team to be made up of under23 athletes (born within the years 1991 – 1993 inclusive).

Selection will be based on current form up until 4^th May

Although this event is a week after the Inter-Counties NIMRA feels that we could and should be represented at the Senior Home Internationals

(not necessarily the same athletes)

Snowdon Race

Saturday 20^th July          Venue: Llanberis (GR SH582599).

4 men, 3 women

http://www.snowdonrace.co.uk

WMMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge

Saturday 3^rd August           Venue: Szklarska Poreba, Poland.

Teams: Up to 5 men & 5 women, 3 to count

Selection: On current form up until 23^rd June with particular attention to longer mountain trail and road events.

Athletes should register their interest for a particular team by contacting Mike Barton (mjbarton@talk21.com)

Athletes need to be a current member of NIMRA to be considered for selection.

Athletes based outside NI need to compete in at least one mountain event in NI to be considered for selection.