Scottish cohort for European Off Road Champs rises to TEN

Thursday 2nd May 2024

Scout Adkin landed European Mountain Running bronze a couple of years ago

British Athletics website team announcement

Scottish hill running has hit a new peak with no fewer than eight selections for the European Off Road Running Champs.

GB and NI will send strong teams to the event which takes place between May 31 and June 2 in Annecy, France.

And hill running in Scotland will be superbly represented with eight athletes picked to add to two named previously for the trail element of the European Off Road Champs.

World and European medallist Scout Adkin 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.

Joining Scout are Naomi Lang as well as youngsters Isla Hedley and Isla Paterson.

In the Men’s division there are selections for Jacob Adkin in the Senior team and three young Scots feature among the Junior Men – Thomas Hilton, Jonathon Downey and Angus Wright.

To add to the feelgood factor for Scottish hill running, resident Welshman Kris Jones is also named by British Athletics.

The Trail selections (Scottish) are Meryl Cooper and Georgia Tindley.

We send our warm congratulations to all these athletes and their coaches and clubs. There has been significant work put in over recent years by a number of folk – guided by our Hill Running Lead Angela Mudge – and that is reflected in today’s announcement.

Eight picked last year for World Mountain and Trail Champs

Three of this Scotland team from U20 last year are now picked for GB and NI – Angus, Jonathon and Thomas (with Harris Pagett)

Two picked for Trail races at European Off Road Champs

GB and NI 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 GB and NI teams.’

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)

Senior Women – Up-and-Down

Scout Adkin (Angela Mudge, Ambleside AC)

Naomi Lang (Lewis Walker, Carnethy Hill Racing Club)

Senior Men – Uphill

Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson, Keswick AC)

Kris Jones (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers/Swansea Harriers)

Senior Men – Up-and-Down

Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson, Keswick AC)

Kris Jones (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers/Swansea Harriers)

Junior Women – Uphill

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

Junior Women – Up-and Down

Isla Paterson (Neil Renton, Gala Harriers)

Junior Men – Uphill

Thomas Hilton (Ross Grieve, Moorfoot Runners)

Junior Men – Up-and Down

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

Angus Wright (Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds)

Senior Women – Trail

Meryl Cooper (Doug Stewart, Deeside Runners)

Georgia Tindley (Angela Mudge, Highland Hill Runners)

Looking forward to being part of a strong team at the European Champs end of the month! 🏞️🏃 https://t.co/Dex3a3W9fY

— Jacob Adkin (@jacob_adkin) May 2, 2024