Five Scottish hill runners set for selection – and maybe couple more!

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

Kris Jones won the Inter-Counties up and down trial with Robbie Simpson second (photo with thanks to Woodentops)

From Angela Mudge

Scotland gained five automatic selections for the European Off-Road Running Championships 31 May to 2 June in a successful weekend of racing in the Lake District.

The uphill only trial kicked off the weekend’s racing with Scout and Jacob Adkin (both Moorfoot) gaining automatic selection by finishing first and second respectively in the senior uphill only trial.

Conditions on Friday night were breezy at the summit making the final km hard going after a tail wind lower down on the course.

In the junior event, over a very testing course, Thomas Hilton (Moorfoot) and Isla Hedley (Edinburgh University) both finished fourth in their respective junior trials. With selections later this week both athletes will be hoping to get the nod.

On Sunday 187 Seniors raced the Inter Counties Mountain Running Championships which incorporated the EORR up and down trial.

The course covered a single climb and descent over 16k and 900m.

Scotland North won the Men’s race at the Inter-Counties thanks to the efforts of Ross Gollan, Robbie Simpson, James Espie and John Yells

Kris Jones (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) racing for the East District won in 65:17 overhauling the first runner to the summit on the descent.

Robbie Simpson (North) was a further 11 seconds behind in second and Jacob Adkin (East) finished in fourth.

The North District men raced superbly well to take team title, with Ross Gollan in seventh and James Espie in 22^nd to win by eight points from Yorkshire.

Scout Adkin took gold at the Inter-Counties up and down race with Naomi Lang (on left) in third

In the women’s event, Scout (running for Cumbria) made it the double by coming home first over three and half minutes ahead of the second finisher.

Naomi Lang (East) also had an excellent run to finish third. The North District women packed well to take third team. Sarah Hodgson 10th, Catriona Graves  18th and Jill Stephen 19^th landed bronze medals with the win going to Cumbria.

Scotland West were sixth in both the men’s and women’s events.

The junior trials were held earlier on the day over the top section of the senior course.

Angus Wright (Edinburgh University) had a brilliant race to take victory in a very tight field. Jonathan Downey (Kilmarnock) was fourth and Isla Paterson (Gala) had a nasty fall but still managed third in the junior women’s race.

Scotland North Women took third place in the Inter-Counties races

Overall Scotland had a great weekend of racing with several athletes gaining automatic selection and others finishing high enough to be considered for selection.

It is expected the team announcement from British Athletics will happen later this week.

Well down to all the athletes who travelled down to compete and thanks to the marshals and helpers on the day for making it a successful event.

The event was held in the Lakes but organised by Angela Mudge on behalf of UKA.

Tags: hill running, Jacob Adkin, Kris Jones, Robbie Simpson, Scout Adkin