BUSA Championships come to Swansea
University students from across the UK will head to Swansea University this weekend for the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) Cross Country and Cross Cycle Championships.
The event will take place in Swansea’s Singleton Park on Saturday, February 2.
Hundreds of athletes are expected to compete in the race, which will be split into two categories; men will run 10k and women 6k.
This race is particularly important as it is a key selection event for the World University Cross Country Championships being held at Mauquenchy, France from April 5-6, 2008.
The top two finishers in both the men’s and women’s ‘A’ races are automatically selected for the World University Championships.
The Cross Cycle Championship will take place on Sunday, February 3. The course has been designed to be supporter friendly and there will also be food outlets and public conveniences provided.
Gwyneth Diment, Acting Head of Sports and Physical Recreation at Swansea University, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome athletes from all over the UK here for the BUSA Championships.
“While they may find the cross country course challenging, I hope the fact that it is situated in beautiful parkland overlooking Swansea Bay will spur them on.
“The University has made significant investment in sport over the last few years. In partnership with the City and County of Swansea and Sportlot, a range of new facilities have been of major benefit to students.
“The Wales National Pool opened four years ago and since then, two water-based Astro Turf pitches, an Indoor Training Centre, and an eight-lane running track have come on line.”
Race organiser and Swansea PhD student, Peter Watkeys said: “After years of running for and captaining Swansea in cross country, I am yet to race for BUSA in my home country.
“It is a fantastic course we have designed here – a real cross country, with hills, trees and, most importantly, mud.”
Swansea University is hosting the Championships with the support of City and County of Swansea Council and Gwent Athletics.
For more information, please visit www.busa.org.uk/althletics or email UWSRunningClub@hotmail.com.
Swansea University offers Sports Scholarships, worth £3,000 over the duration of a degree, which are awarded to talented young men and women who have the potential to become world-class.
For more information about Sports Scholarships, please visit
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/sport/EliteAthletes/
