England Athletics inaugural trail team announced

The RunThrough Trails Lake District 53k will play host to the Home Countries International (HCI) for trail running on 11 April 2026.

This marks a new representative opportunity for athletes to race at the HCI, which also forms the trial race for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the European Off-Road Championships in Slovenia, June 2026.

Let's meet the team:

• Ben Rothery (Ilkley Harriers AC, Sarah McCormack)
• Bertie Houghton (Hallamshire Harriers, Lewis Moses)
• Daniel Connolly (Salford AC / Keswick AC, Lewis Walker)
• Grant Cunliffe (Rosendale Harriers, Steve Duxbury)
• Emily Cowper-Coles (Rotherham Harriers AC / Dark Peak Fell Runners, self-coached)
• Eve Pannone (Ambleside AC, David Roche)
• Holly Wootten (Keswick AC, Doug Stewart)
• Sarah Forbes-Smith (Clapham Chasers, self-coached)

The race itself starts in Keswick and runs along Derwent Water and through Seathwaite. It then ascends Scafell Pike into Wasdale, goes around Kirk Fell to Honister Pass before summiting High Spy then descending Catbells back to Keswick – a total of 2640m of ascent and descent over the 53km course.  

England Athletics Team Operations Manager Vicky Griffiths said:

"Congratulations to all selected athletes and their coaches! This new HCI race provides an excellent opportunity to continue to improve standards in trail running, provide high quality competition within the UK, as well as development opportunities to future and potential GB & NI trail athletes. Good luck to all selected athletes."