Nail on the head Telecat, we already have an elite youth system in operation by allowing the top youths to compete on the expert course in the adult british championship. Whether they should be allowed to compete on the championship route at adult level is another discussion perhaps?
With high entries all non competative runners should be not allowed to compete, ie out of class not allowed down or UP!
Time wise we allow 7 to 8 sections per hour but with puch cards things do run slow so on a 40 section event I'd go for 6 hours. Clubs need to provide an Observer & a puncher to help speed things along. Clubs also should consider providing catchers on the bigger sections to help ease the flow, if the kids can trust someone else to catch them instead of waiting for Dad to breathlessly catch up then things would speed.
If Clubs can't provide manpower to do this perhaps they shouldn't be running Championship rounds.
Why are minders not allowed to run around after the kids on bikes?