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Junior mountain runners ready to hit international stage with an England vest

After a hiatus of two years, the U18 International Mountain Running Cup takes place on 26 June in the medieval hill town of Saluzzo in the Piedmont region of Italy.  England are fielding two strong teams and looking forward to the opportunity to race once again against some of the best junior mountain runners on the international stage.

Team

  • Jess Bailey (Leven Valley, Matthew Long)
  • Rebecca Flaherty (Bingley Harriers)
  • Amelie Lane (Wharfedale)
  • Eve Whitaker (Harrogate/Ilkley)
  • Charlie Allmond (Ambleside AC) pictured
  • Joe Ormrod (Rossendale Harriers, Graham Wright)
  • Alex Poulston (Wirral)
  • William Walker (Clayton le Moors)

Jess Bailey secures her second England mountain running vest with a resounding win in the trial race. In her last England vest, Jess took the individual gold and also led England to team gold in the 2021 Junior Home International in Ireland. This year, on the country Jess has had an excellent season which included retaining her title at the English Schools Cross Country Championships, improving on her 4th place to 2nd in the 2022 CAU Inter Counties cross country championships and claimed the English National Cross Country Championship title. Jess has opened her track season with strong runs and is currently ranked 2nd U17G in the UK in both the 1500m and 3000m with respective times of 4.26 and 9.19.

Rebecca Flaherty wins her third England vest after twice representing her country in 2021, first in the U18 Home Counties Youth Cup in Ambleside and then later in the JHI in Ireland where she finished in a fine 6th place. Her wide range of running experience over all terrains has led to some excellent results. In particular, Rebecca placed highly in the English Schools Cross Country Championships where she finished 10th and then 5th  in the CAU Inter Counties Cross Country Championships. Her cross country season culminated in winning individual silver and team gold in the ISF World School Cross Country Championships in Slovakia.

Amelie Lane gains her second England mountain running vest following a strong second place in the trial race. In 2021, alongside Jess, she was part of the winning England team at the JHI in 2021 where she won individual silver. As a seasoned runner over cross country and fell, Amelie’s experience and commitment have led to her winning the 2021  British Inter-Counties FU17 Fell title as well as the 2021 FU17 titles in both the English Fell Runners Association and the British Open Fell Runners Association Championships. This year, she placed 6th and joined Rebecca in the gold winning team in the ISF World School Cross Country Championships in Slovakia.

With her 3rd placing in the trial race, Eve Whitaker earns her third England vest. In 2021, Eve finished an excellent 2nd in a strong field in the U18 Home Countries Youth Cup in Ambleside, followed by an individual bronze and team gold in the JHI in Ireland in her second England outing. Her other notable achievements include age group titles in the Yorkshire and English Fell Running championships and silver in the 2021 English FRA FU17 championships. Eve’s training is complemented with her triathlon background.

Charlie Allmond earns his third England vest with a strong run to win the trial race. It follows on from the two gained in 2021, the first coming at the Home Countries International in his home town of Ambleside where he finished on top of the podium. His second vest at the JHI in Ireland saw Charlie finishing with individual gold and leading the England team to top the podium again. Charlie is also the reigning U17B English Fell Runners' Association champion.

Joe Ormrod had a fine run to finish 2nd in the trial race and secures his second England vest. Like most of his teammates, his previous vest came in 2021 where he was part of the England squad competing in the JHI in Ireland. In 2022, Joe has had promising results in the major national cross country championship races and is currently lying in 2nd place in the English U17 Fell Running Championship.

Alex Poulston earns his second England vest following his 4th placing in the trial.  With a background in cycling and triathlon, he is also competitive over cross country, track and on the fell. Alex finished an excellent individual 3rd place in the 2021 JHI and was part of the gold-winning England team.  A former County 1500m and cross country champion, Alex finished 3rd in the 2021 English Junior U17 fell running championship and is currently leading the 2022 series.

Finishing 3rd in the trial race, William Walkergains his second vest. William’s first vest in 2021 at the JHI in Ireland saw him place 4th in a very competitive race. Like many of his teammates, he has raced and produced strong results on the country in most of the 2022 major domestic events and notably secured bronze in the 2022 Lancashire Cross Country Championships.

Duncan Richards and Carol Evans are the team managers. Carol said,

"The International Cup has always provided valuable experience and a fantastic international racing opportunity. We expect this committed and talented group of young athletes to enjoy and embrace the whole event."

 

We wish them all the best!

Information

Photo by Steve Ashworth

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