Junior team announced for Mountain Running Home International

Following selection trials last month, England Athletics is pleased to announce that four strong mountain running teams will travel to Ireland on 14 September, with high hopes of retaining the Edinburgh Trophy (overall team trophy). The Home Countries race will be incorporated into the British and Irish Junior Mountain Championship in Glendalough, County Wicklow.

For the U20 athletes, the race is over 6km with 265m of climb / descent, and the U17 athletes race over 4.5km with 200m of climb / descent.

"I believe several individuals have realistic chances to take individual podium places, to support our bid for team gold. This is great opportunity for our junior athletes to experience a race overseas, to help them develop into the senior ranks, and hopefully more international honours."

Team Leader Neil Wilkinson

Team

U17 Female

• Emelia Frost (Dark Peak FR/ Hallamshire Harriers)
• Millie Jebb (Helme Hill Runners)
• Isla Pastor (Warriors PAC, Sarah & Ronan Kearney)
• Graihagh Turner (Penistone Footpath Runners & AC / Rotheram, Richard Harris)

U17 Open

• Jay Hutchinson (Trafford AC, Mike Hutchinson)
• Jake Ireland (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp)
• Archie Peaker (Keighley & Craven, Alan Buckley)
• Jack Sanderson (Settle Harriers, Alastair Scholey)

U20 Female

• Georgia Bell (Leven Valley AC, Jethro McGraw)
• Rose Gilldaley (Eden Runners, Derek Hurton)
• Amelie Lane (Wharfedale Harriers AC, Sally Malir)
• Lauren Russell (Highgate Harriers, Hannah Viner & Chris Rainsford)

U20 Open

• Oliver Bailey (Staffords Moorlands)
• Isaac Battye (Horwich AC)
• Sam Bentham (Ilkley Harriers AC)
• Alex Poulston (Wirral AC, Katie Hewison)

Team support staff

• Team Leader, Men's Team Manager: Neil Wilkinson
• Women's Team Manager: Sarah Wilkinson

U17 Female

Winning the trial race, just a few seconds behind U20 winner, Emilia Frost sealed her selection. Emilia competed in the Junior Home International (JHI) 2023 in Peebles, finishing seventh; helping England to team silver.

Millie Jebb is the youngest in the team, qualifying by finishing second fastest U17. This is her first England vest. She has been performing well in FRA (Fell Runners' Association) races winning two, including the International Mountain Running Youth. Cup (IYC) trial; but was too young to get selected to compete in Spain.

Isla Pastor has had an excellent season: winning three of her FRA races; and is currently leading the U17 Championship. This is her first England vest.

Graihagh Turner earned her third England vest with third fastest at the U17 trial.  Last year she was fifth at the JHI in Peebles and earlier this year competing in the IYC in Spain, she was England's top finisher in 15th.

U17 Open

Fastest runner at the trial (all age groups), Jay Hutchinson earned his second England vest, finishing a respectable 12th at last year's JHI in Peebles. He is lying second in the FRA U17 Championship; being on the podium in his 4 races.

Jake Ireland earned his first England vest with the second fastest time at the trial race. He is currently leading the FRA U17 Championship, having won 3 of the races, coming third in two.

Archie Peake had an excellent run at the trial to earn his first England vest, finishing third fastest at the trial at Cracoe. 

Jack Sanderson has had an excellent season this year: starting with international honours in cross country, winning his age group in all FRA races he has entered. He represented GB in this year's European Off-Road Championship, finishing 11th (Uphill) 25th (Up & Down). He finished seventh in the IYC, with another year to hopefully improve. He is a strong podium contender.

U20 Female

Winning the trial race, this will be Georgia Bell’s sixth time running for England and her forth time in the JHI; she finished third International in last year's race. Georgia also ran for GB in this year's European Off-Road Championship in Annecy where she came eighth. She is also reigning Northern Road 5k champion.

Rose Gilldaley gains her first U20 England vest, finishing second fastest in the trial race. She competed in the International Youth Cup in Spain this year, finishing 19th. She has won both FRA age group races she has entered this year. She won individual bronze in last year's JHI (U17).

Amelie Lane has a number of international vests behind her with several notable results internationally in the last couple of years. She was second individually at the JHI 2023. She has competed for an England at cross country over winter. She was 11th representing GB in the European Off-Road Running Championship.

Lauren Russell is another squad member with valuable international experience: having run for UK in both 2023 World and 2024 European Trail and Mountain Running Championship. She is hoping to retain her individual and team gold in this year's JHI.

U20 Open

Oliver Bailey successfully managed the transition in age groups: from U17 to U20 gaining his second England vest; with the third fastest time in the trial race. Finishing seventh in last year's U17 JHI he helped England to team gold. He is in silver position in the U19 FRA Championship. 

Isaac Battye earns his third England vest after a solid run to finish fourth in the Cracoe trial race in Yorkshire. He made his England debut in 2022, and finished ninth in the JHI 2023 in Peebles.

Sam Bentham’s win at the trial gains him his third England mountain running vest. In last year’s JHI Sam finished 11th; having two more years in the age group he is hoping to be further up the field. Sam won the Junior Intercounties Fell title this year. He finished second Brit at this year's European Off-Road Running Championship in 16th (Up & Down race).

Alex Poulston gains his fifth England vest, having finished second in the trial race. He won gold in the U17 men's race in 2022. In last year's JHI he took home individual bronze. He represented UK at the European Off-Road Championship this year finishing 10th in the Uphill race. Alex is also leading the U19 FRA Champs.

Photo of Lauren Russell winning last year's U20 British Championships