STRONG SQUAD ASSEMBLED FOR THE 2024 EUROPEAN OFF ROAD RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the upcoming European Off Road Running Championships 2024 taking place between 31 May – 2 June in Annecy, France, has been announced today.

Following the highly competitive trial races last month, full teams have been selected for the senior and junior uphill and up-and-down events, joining the eight athletes who were called-up for the trail races last month.

World and European medallist Scout Adkin (coach: Angela Mudge, club: Ambleside AC) leads the way in the senior women’s team after dominating the trial events last month in the Lake District. She won up-and-down bronze at the 2022 Europeans, so she will have her eyes on more continental success this time around.

Joe Steward (Salford Harriers) – the uphill trials winner – has been called up to both senior men’s races in France, and will join Kris Jones (Doug Stewart, Swansea Harriers) in them, the latter taking victory in the up-and-down trial in Keswick. Steward was eighth at last year’s World Championships in Austria, so he will be targeting individual and team success in the French alpine town.

After winning silver in the up and down race at the inaugural edition of these Championships back in 2022, Eve Whitaker (Jack Maitland, University of Leeds) goes into the U20 events with confidence after her strong showing at the trials and will have high hopes in both races later this month.

In the junior men’s teams, there are several athletes making their international debuts, with trials winners Edward Hobbs [up-and-down] and Angus Wright [uphill] leading the way in their respective events.

Team Leader Anne Buckley said, “We saw high-quality performances in the trial races, so we are delighted to be adding such strong mountain runners to the team. Alongside our already selected Trail athletes, we are taking a really competitive squad to France to take on the rest of Europe.

“Not only do we have several experienced internationals in the team, but it is fantastic to see talented new athletes earning their place in the Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad.”

The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the European Off Road Running Championships, Annecy, France, 31 May-2 June 2024:

Senior Women – Uphill

Scout Adkin (Angela Mudge, Ambleside AC)

Scarlet Dale (self-coached, Helm Hill Runners)

Elle Twentyman (self-coached, Rugby & Northampton)

Sara Willhoit (Mercia Fell Runners)

Senior Women – Up-and-Down

Scout Adkin (Angela Mudge, Ambleside AC)

Scarlet Dale (self-coached, Helm Hill Runners)

Naomi Lang (Lewis Walker, Carnethy Hill Racing Club)

Eve Pannone (Derek Hurton, Ambleside AC)

Senior Men – Uphill

Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson, Keswick AC)

Finlay Grant (Dark Peak Fell Runners)

Kris Jones (Doug Stewart, Swansea Harriers)

Joe Steward (Salford Harriers)

Senior Men – Up-and-Down

Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson, Keswick AC)

Kris Jones (Doug Stewart, Swansea Harriers)

Ben Rothery (Sarah McCormack, Ilkley Harriers)

Joe Steward (Salford Harriers)

Junior Women – Uphill

Isla Hedley (Ross Cairns, Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds)

Amelie Lane (Sally Malir, Wharfedale)

Lauren Russell (Hannah Viner, Highgate)

Eve Whitaker (Jack Maitland, University of Leeds)

Junior Women – Up-and Down

Georgia Bell (Leven Valley AC)

Amelie Lane (Sally Malir, Wharfedale)

Isla Paterson (Neil Renton, Gala Harriers)

Eve Whitaker (Jack Maitland, University of Leeds)

Junior Men – Uphill

Thomas Hilton (Ross Grieve, Moorfoot Runners)

Edward Hobbs (Ilkley Harriers)

Alex Poulston (Wirral AC)

Jack Sanderson (Alistair Scholey, Settle Harriers)

Junior Men – Up-and Down

Sam Bentham (Ilkley Harriers)

Jonathon Downey (Susan Ballantyne / Graham Cairns, Kilmarnock Harriers)

Jack Sanderson (Alastair Scholey, Settle Harriers)

Angus Wright (Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds)

Senior Men – Trail

Tom Evans (Scott Johnson, Lewes AC)

Luke Grenfell-Shaw (Bristol and West)

Tom Joly de Lotbiniere (Team Hour 7)

Thomas Roach (Lewes AC)

Senior Women – Trail

Meryl Cooper (Doug Stewart, Deeside Runners)

Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn (Roundhay Runners

Holly Page (self-coached, Calder Valley Fell Runners)

Georgia Tindley (Angela Mudge, Highland Hill Runners)