All set for Annecy: 10 Scots with GB at Euro Off-Road Running Champs

Wednesday 29th May 2024

Some of the Scottish cohort in Annecy (photo by Angela Mudge)

Annecy is home to the European Off-Road Running Championships from May 31 to June 2.

Scottish athletes are well represented this year with now fewer than 10 athletes competing for GB and NI in France.

Lake Annecy is surrounded by steep stunning hills with limestone peaks which will provide challenging courses over the three days.

Next Friday the championship kicks off with the uphill only race – with Scots involved in each of the categories.

Isla Hedley (Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds) and Thomas Hilton (Moorfoot Runners) both race in the U20 event. A demanding climb of 830m in 5.6km (that’s steep!) above Lake Annecy.

Scout and Jacob Adkin (Moorfoots) both compete in the senior event climbing 990m through the forested single track trails over 7.6km. Two years ago, Scout narrowly missed a medal finishing fourth so will be hoping to go better.

Kris Jones (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) will also be competing in the uphill only and up and down events.

Meryl Cooper and Georgia Tindley

Scots picked for Trail events in Annecy

On Saturday, the trail runners will be setting off first thing, first running a 17km loop above Faverge and then back to Annecy covering three testing climbs along the way.

Georgia Tindley (Highland HR) and Meryl Cooper (Deeside) are racing this tough 58.2km course which climbs nearly 3400m.

Annecy hasn’t had the best weather recently, so the trail runners are hoping the course dries up a bit before next week and it doesn’t get too hot. It’s currently a mud bath in places.

The final day’s racing is the classic up-and-down mountain race. Angus Wright (Edinburgh Uni Hare and Hounds), Jonathon Downey (Kilmarnock) and Isla Paterson (Gala) all compete in the U20 races.

Starting and finishing in Annecy their race is 7km with 450m ascent /descent. Isla Paterson is joining two of the World Championships gold medallists from 2023 so will be hoping for a good team result!

In the Senior races, bronze medallist from 2022 Scout Adkin, Naomi Lang (Carnethy) and Jacob Adkin race from Menthon Saint Bernard back to Annecy over Mount Veyrier covering 16km with 940m ascent/980m descent. The course finishes along the shores of Lake Annecy so promise a spectacular view.

All at scottishathletics wish the athletes (and families, coaches and clubs) all the very best for Annecy and send our good wishes to the full team.

With thanks to Angela Mudge

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Tags: Euro Off-Road Running Champs, European Off-Road Running Champs, France