1st July 2018
MEDALS ALL-ROUND AT EURO MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPS
Emma Gould (coach: William Laye) marked her senior international debut with an individual bronze medal at the European Mountain Running Championships on a stunning day for the British athletes in the Macedonian mountains, with every member of the team earning a medal.
Gould has been in exceptional form during the season on the mountains but she stepped up on the continental stage, earning her place on the podium after a battle with Norwegian Eli Anne Dvergsal which she won by five seconds.
The first two Maude Mathys (SUI) and Anais Sabrie (FRA) had a notable gap ahead of the Briton but the Birchfield athlete remained composed to earn her European success.
Furthermore, she contributed to team bronze for the senior women, with Bronwen Jenkinson (Andy Walling) in 12th, Katie Walshaw (Chris Barnes) 24th and Heidi Davies 35th. The second and fourth counters were making their senior debuts for GB & NI after enjoying junior success at this level over the last couple of years. France and Czech Republic took the gold and silver respectively.
There was another top five performance for Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett) who placed fifth in the senior men’s race, and he was also part another silver-medal winning team.
Chris Arthur (Mark Croasdale) was 11th and Max Nicholls (Peter Brenchley) one place further back while Nick Swinburn placed 17th as the senior men worked hard to make their way onto the podium.
Anna McFadyen (John Lees) and Scarlet Dale (Colin Gemson) reached the podium in the junior women’s race, claiming silver and bronze respectively behind Italy’s Angela Mattevi.
It was a breakthrough moment for the pair who excelled on the up and down course in Skopje to earn their maiden international individual medals in a British vest.
The pair also contributed to the junior women’s team winning the silver medal, with Lauren Dickson (Kirk and Linda Smith) and Rosie Woodhams (Steve Priestley) in 8th and 23rd overall; they were just one point behind the Italians who took the gold.
Joe Dugdale won a fantastic silver medal in the junior men’s competition, making his mark on the European stage to finish a close second to Romania’s Gabriel Bularda.
His performance was followed up by his teammates who made sure the junior men’s team went home with the gold. Euan Brennan (Andrew Henderson) was sixth with trials winner Matthew MacKay (Graham Wright) 9th and Josh Boyle (Helen Boyle) 19th; all making their way to the top of the podium.
Full results: http://www.emrch2018-skopje.com/