England team announced for Snowdon International Mountain Race
England Athletics have announced a strong team for the Snowdon International Mountain Race, taking place on Saturday 16 July.
The Snowdon International Mountain Race is one of the most popular races in the calendar, as well as being one of the toughest, as it tests athlete speed, climbing and descending skills to the limit.
Team manager Mark Croasdale says:
We selected the England team from one of the English Championship Series races and have two exceptionally strong teams, with four of the eight athletes having just competed for Great Britain at the European Off Road Running Championships. We expect to be challenging for both men’s and women’s team titles as well as individual success.
England Men
- Dan Haworth (Matlock AC)
- Matt Elkington (Martin Cox, Ambleside AC)
- Finlay Grant (Mark Ediker, Dark Peak Fell Runners)
- Ben Rothery (Ilkley Harriers)
Dan Haworth will lead the England team having won the trial race at Buckden Pike. Dan has just come back from the European Off Road Running Championships held at El Paso, La Palma where he had a great run finishing 23rd for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Matt Elkington also had a fantastic run at the trial to finish second and will be making his England debut at Snowdon.
Finlay Grant is the youngest in the team and is also just back from the European Off Road Championships. Fin had a brilliant weekend bringing home three medals, an individual bronze in the up-and-down U20s race. He also came home with a team gold and a team bronze in the uphill only U20s race.
Ben Rothery will also be making his England debut after finishing an excellent fourth in the trials.
England Women
- Hannah Russell (Billy Proctor, Helm Hill Runners)
- Emma Hopkinson (Wharfedale Harriers)
- Sharon Taylor (Helm Hill Runners)
- Sara Willhoit (Mercia Fell Runners)
Hannah Russell will lead the women's team having won the trial. Hannah has also just come back from the European Championships and is another who had a great event, finishing 18th in the up-and-down race on her Great Britain and Northern Ireland debut, helping the team to win the bronze medal.
Emma Hopkinson had a great run in the trial and will be making her senior England debut. Emma has also run as a junior for England in the past.
Sharon Taylor is the final athlete that has been at the European Off Road Running championships. Sharon was competing in the 47km trail race and finished in a brilliant 10th place, helping the team to win the bronze medal.
Sara Willhoit was second at the trial and recently represented England at the Senior Home International, finishing 6th and helping England win the team title.
- Learn more about ultra-distance, trail and fell running at England Athletics.