Keith selected for European Cross

I have been unwell since the weekend so this will be a fairly brief post.

It has been confirmed that Keith Gerrard has been selected for the GB ~Under 23 team at the European Cross Country Championships to take place in Brussels on Sunday 14th December. He has competed in Brussels several times before including the World Championships in 2004 when he finished 45th - I think he was 2nd or 3rd European on the day. The course is usually muddy so it should suit him well.

Keith finished 4th in the full senior trial so could, had he wished, have been in with a chance to be part of the full senior team. I am still a bit undecided about the concept of an under 23 event. Is it a stepping stone through to full senior competition ginving competition to those who would otherwise not be competing at this level or is it a cop-out shielding young athletes from the inevitable rough and tumble of competiton at the highest level?

There are merits in both arguments. Still, I, as I am sure everyone in Manx athletics does, wish Keith good luck in this high standard event.