Trofeo trophy success: Scotland win Three Nations event in Italy

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Scotland’s mountain runners were in Italy for the weekend – and the return baggage included silverware after a fine trophy win at the Trofeo Nasego event.

The team competed in two World Cup races over the weekend which both featured strong fields and overall winners from Kenya and Austria.

For the international teams present – Scotland, England and Ireland – the Italian organisers created a three-way competition over the two days of racing for the Nasego 2024 Mountain Running Three Nations Trophy.

Each country had to field at least two male and two female athletes in Nasego Vertical on Saturday and then the Trofeo Nasego on Sunday.

With the withdrawal of Kieran Cooper on Thursday through injury, Andy Douglas stepped up and doubled up over the weekend.

In Saturday’s Nasego Vertical race Rory Abernethy and Scout Adkin were first home in the Three Nations competition. Rory had his strongest international race yet to finish in 16^th overall and Andy wasn’t too far behind in 20^th.

Scout had a strong run to finish fourth overall, with Kirsty Dickson in 16^th and Naomi Lang in 20^th. The race was tough going with the temperatures in the low 30s.

Another great day of racing on Sunday, saw Naomi Lang (fourth overall) and Andy Douglas (12^th overall) lead home the field in the the Three Nations event.

Naomi was sixth to the summit and once again demonstrated her top-class descending skills to cross the line in fourth with Catriona Graves backing her up in 20^th.

Ross Gollan, who shaved his hair off on Saturday to aid heat loss in the soaring temperatures, finished in 14^th and was second across the line in the team competition.

So those fine performances in the heat ensured Scotland won the inaugural competition with England in second.

Well done to the athletes and to their families, coaches and clubs on a successful weekend in Italy.

With thanks to Angela Mudge