Home International mountain race bodes well for world championships
This year's Senior Home International took place on 17 August and was incorporated into the British trial for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships to be held in the Spanish Pyrenees at Canfranc in September. It was also two days after the uphill trial for Canfranc making it a tough weekend as a few of the athletes were doubling up.
The race was held at Whinlatter Forest just a few miles away from Keswick in the Lake District, it was 14km with a total ascent of 750m over a two lap course. It was a fast course held in hot conditions making it a tough challenge for everyone.
Senior Men
In an extremely competitive race, Moray Pryde just edged out Jacob Adkin to give Scotland first and second positions. Felix McGrath had his best mountain race to date and finished in a brilliant third place, Felix was fourth at the recent Snowdon International Mountain race representing England, but on this occasion he was running in his Bristol & West AC club vest.
The first England Team runner was Matt Knowles (Carnethy HRC/ Lancaster & Morecambe AC, Sophie Dunnett) in seventh, who was third in the Friday night uphill race; this should secure his place on the Great Britain team for the World Championships. Tim Lamont (Helm Hill Runners, Sarah McCormack) was close behind in eighth, with Fin Grant (Dark Peak Fell Runners) next who finished 13th for England. Fin should also secure his place on the Great Britain team after finishing second in the uphill trial race. George Foster (Keswick AC, Sarah McCormack) finished 27th and Doni Clarke (Todmorden Harriers, Billy Cartwright) finished 30th on his England debut, both having solid performances in a very high quality race.
Scotland comfortably won the team race, with England coming second.
Senior Women
Nancy Scott - who recently won the Snowdon International Mountain race running for England - had a fantastic race and pulled away on the second lap to win convincingly from Kate Maltby. Nancy and Kate will hopefully be selected for the world championships. Kate has represented Great Britain at four world championships but for Nancy it would be her debut.
The first England Team athlete was Sara Willhoit (Shrewsbury AC) in third, with Eve Pannone (Ambleside AC, David Roache) fourth and Emily Cowper-Coles (Dark Peak Fell Runners) right behind her, all having fantastic races. Emily had already been selected for the World Championships in the short trail race. Emilia Platt (Salford Harriers, Duncan Mason) was 13th and was also the second U23 athlete. Lizzie Browne (Black Combe/Knavesmire/Hoad Hill) was 19th and had a good run especially as her call up to the team was the evening before the race.Â
England won the team race with three athletes in the top five and Scotland were second team.
Results
Men
- 1st Moray Pryde (Scotland) 57mins 11sec
- 2nd Jacob Adkin (Scotland) 57mins 12sec
- 3rd Felix McGrath (Bristol & West AC) 57mins 22sec
- 7th Matt Knowles (England) 58mins 43sec
- 8th Tim Lamont (England) 58mins 50sec
- 13th Fin Grant (England) 60mins 16sec
- 27th George Foster (England) 63mins 14sec
- 30th Doni Clarke (England) 64mins 12sec
Men's teams
- 1st Scotland
- 2nd England
Women
- 1st Nancy Scott Aldershot & Farnham 67mins 07sec
- 2nd Kate Maltby Black Combe FR 68mins 38sec
- 3rd Sara Willhoit England 69mins 42sec
- 4th Eve Pannone England 70mins 03sec
- 5th Emily Cowper-Coles England 71mins 43sec
- 13th Emilia Platt England 77mins 24sec
- 19th Lizzie Browne England 78mins 06sec
Women's teams
- 1st England
- 2nd Scotland
Photo: Sara Willhoit 330, George Foster 303, Eve Pannone 329, Doni Clarke 301, Emilia Platt 331, Tim Lamont 306, Matt Knowles 304, Emily Cowper-Coles 327