Double win for England at Senior Home International mountain race

This year's Senior Home International mountain race was hosted by Scotland and was an uphill only race, held north of Perth at the Spittal of Glenshee. The international race was incorporated into the open race; 7km in distance with an ascent of 670m. The weather was warm and sunny with a slight breeze.

Both men and women started together. The start was very fast along a wide gravel track and leading the race out was Kris Jones running for Wales, followed by Joe Steward (Salford Harriers & AC) leading the English challenge and then Jamie Crowe and Robbie Simpson both running for Scotland. After these, the England team were packing well with Bertie Houghton (Dark Peak Fell Runners), Tim Lamont (Helm Hill Runners, Sarah McCormack) and Oscar Subuh-Symons (Ambleside AC, Sarah McCormack), with Tom Spencer (Buxton AC) just off this pace and under 23 Alex Mason (Dark Peak Fell Runners) just outside the top 10.

In the women’s race Scout Adkin led the race for Scotland and had a good lead by the first river crossing, followed by her teammate Naomi Lang. The English team were also packing well in the women’s race and Phillipa Williams (Dark Peak Fell Runners, Mark Croasdale), Eve Pannone (Ambleside AC, Derek Hurton), Emily Shaw (Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds) and Elle Twentyman (Rugby & Northampton AC) were all together at the river crossing. Sara Willhoit (Mercia Fell Runners) was just off the pace set by her teammates. Next came Kirsty Dickson running for Scotland with Ellen Weir (Thames Hare and Hounds, Dean Miller) just behind completing the England team.

At about 3.5km the race started the main climb and Kris Jones (Wales) still had a good lead, but Joe Steward (England) was closing in. Not far behind England’s Bertie Houghton was also catching the two leading Scottish runners, Robbie Simpson and Jamie Crowe.

At about 5km the course eases slightly and Joe Steward caught Kris Jones and went on to win in a fantastic 31mins 52sec, which was a new course record. Kris Jones came home 2nd with Bertie Houghton coming a brilliant 3rd on his England debut. Tom Spencer ran a perfectly paced race and finished 4th, with Tim Lamont coming in 5th, also making his England debut. Oscar Subuh-Symons dropped back slightly but still had a great run to finish 9th, another making his England debut. Alex Mason completed the England team with a solid 13th position. With 4 runners in the top 5 England comfortably won the men’s team race.

In the women’s race Scout Adkin extended her lead and broke the long standing course record in a time of 38mins 33sec, which was held by Scotland's Team Manager Angela Mudge. Sara Willhoit, who had the misfortune of falling in training last week and was nursing a few stitches in her knee, set off cautiously but had a strong climb to finish 2nd. Sara was followed by team mates Eve Pannone and Emily Shaw, both having fantastic races. The latter also made her England senior debut. Phillipa Williams came home in 6th, which was a great result considering Phillipa has spent most of the winter out with an injury and is now starting to regain form. Elle Twentyman struggled a little on the second part of the course and finished 8th, followed by Ellen Weir in 9th position. With all 6 England runners in the top 9, England comfortably won the women’s team race.

Results

Men

1st       Joe Steward (England)                       31mins 52sec (course record)

2nd      Kris Jones (Wales)                              32mins 34sec

3rd       Bertie Houghton (England)                 33mins 29sec

4th       Tom Spencer (England)(u23)             34mins 11sec 

5th       Tim Lamont (England)                        34mins 28sec

6th       Jamie Crowe (Scotland)                     34mins 30sec

7th       Robbie Simpson (Scotland)               34mins 34sec

8th       Ross Gollan (Scotland)                      34mins 57sec

9th       Oscar Subuh-Symons (England)        35mins 01sec

10th     Rory Abernethy (Scotland)                 35mins 21sec

13th     Alex Mason (England)(u23)                40mins 04sec

Teams

1st       England           13 points

2nd      Scotland          31 points

3rd       N Ireland         59 points

Women

1st       Scout Adkin (Scotland)                       38mins 33sec (course record)

2nd      Sara Willhoit (England)                       40mins 36sec

3rd       Eve Pannone (England)                     41mins 17sec

4th       Emily Shaw (England)(u23)                41mins 27sec

5th       Kirsty Dickson (Scotland)                   41mins 35sec

6th       Phillipa Williams (England)                 41mins 56sec

7th       Naomi Lang (Scotland)                       42mins 13sec

8th       Elle Twentyman (England)                 42mins 37sec

9th       Ellen Weir (England)(u23)                  44mins 26sec

10th     Catriona Graves (Scotland)                45mins 19sex

Teams

1st       England           15 points

2nd      Scotland          23 points

3rd       Wales              28 points

Photo of Joe Steward by Des Crowe
Other photos by Mark Croasdale