by John O'Connor

The 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Edinburgh, Scotland which takes place on 30 March 2008, looks to be heading for the greatest ever participation in the history of this the oldest of the IAAF World Athletics Series competitions.

This event will be a huge spectacle, where you will see the worlds greatest athletes, junior and senior battle it out for world titles literally feet away from where you are standing. There is a team of 22 athletes selected to represent Ireland two of whom are from Galway, Paul McNamara (Athenry AC) and Gary Thornton (Galway City Harriers). Why not get behind these two guys and show some support by making the trip to Edinburgh to shout them on.

A few people from both clubs have already booked their travel arrangements by different means and dates but hope to all meet up on the sidelines for collective shouts to the boys and girls in green.

There are various flights to and from Edinburgh or Glasgow (which is serviced by a regular train only 55mins) to or from Dublin or Cork, AerLingus.com or RyanAir.com. Flights are getting more expensive by the day so get online and book it up.

In total, the IAAF Member Federation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have held the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on five previous occasions - Chepstow (1976), Glasgow (1978), Gateshead (1983), Durham (1995), and Belfast (1999).