Mountain running’s next generation impressed at the Junior Mountain Running Championships
Against the breath-taking backdrop of the Mourne Mountains in Newcastle, Northern Ireland, 90 of the most promising young athletes from the five home nations came together for a thrilling 30th edition of the British & Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships.
The courses were fast: the U18’s racing over 8.3km with 315m ascent and the U20’s over 9.2km with 370m ascent, with the event creating an unforgettable experience that challenged every athlete's strength, resilience and determination.
U18 Boys
The U18 boys began the day’s racing in thrilling fashion, with Jake Ireland (Macclesfield AC, Alison Hartopp & Bev Harrington) returning determined to go one better after narrowly missing out on the title last year. He set a blistering early pace, but George Watkins (Macclesfield AC, Alison Hartopp & Bev Harrington) matched him stride for stride before using his formidable climbing strength to reach the summit first. The battle continued all the way to the finish, where Jake claimed an outstanding silver medal and George secured a superb 3rd place.
Zeke Sumner (Ambleside AC) produced another excellent result, surging from 12th last year to an impressive 6th, while 14-year-old debutants Oliver Mannion (East Cheshire Harriers, Martin Lewis) and Charlie Dobson (Rossendale Harriers, Graham Wright & Jo Wells) made their mark with accomplished finishes in 13th and 16th. Their exceptional combined performance powered England to team gold and underlined the remarkable talent and exciting potential within the U18 team.
U18 Girls
Clara McKee (Calder Valley Fell Runner) produced the standout performance of the day in sensational style. The recently crowned International U18 Mountain Running Cup champion stormed to the front and never looked back, dominating the race from start to finish before powering across the line an impressive 31 seconds clear of the field. Sisters Millie and Isla Jebb (Helm Hill Runners, Rob Jebb) were England’s next finishers, claiming 10th and 11th respectively, with Isla Pastor (Warriors PAC, Sarah & Ronan Kearney) taking 13th and Isla Yorke (Warriors PAC, Sarah & Ronan Kearney) 16th. Their combined performance secured a well-deserved team silver medal.
U20 Men
Adam Bentham (Mercia Fell Runners, Dan Connolly) led the charge for an impressive performance from the U20 men, battling strongly throughout to secure 5th place. Michael Wood (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp & Bev Harrington) followed with an excellent run to finish 7th, while Alfie Branch (Buxton AC) rose to the occasion, delivering a superb performance on his England debut, crossing the line in 8th. Jay Hutchinson (Trafford AC, Mike Hutchinson) completed the team’s outstanding display in 10th, ensuring all four athletes finished inside the top ten. Their strength, consistency and determination earned England a thoroughly deserved team silver medal.
U20 Women
In their final appearance at the Junior Home International, Rose Gilldaley (Eden Runners, Derek Hurton) and Connie Jenneson (Buxton AC, Alison Hartopp & Bev Harrington) delivered a captivating head-to-head battle from the start. Matching each other stride for stride over the demanding climb, the pair reached the summit separated by just one second. Drama followed on the descent when Rose suffered a fall, but she regained her rhythm and pulled clear to claim a richly deserved silver medal. Connie maintained a strong pace to secure an excellent bronze, completing a superb double podium finish for England.
Emilia Frost (Dark Peak Fell Runners) remained firmly in contention throughout and powered home just 15 seconds later to take an impressive 4th place, while Graihagh Turner (Penistone Footpath Runners, Paddy Wright) completed the quartet with a strong 6th place finish. England’s impressive strength in depth, with three athletes placing inside the top four, earned the team a magnificent gold medal.
Team Managers Sharon Taylor and Chris Richards said:
“The event created lasting memories and friendships that will endure long beyond the finish line”
U18 Boys
- 2nd - Jake Ireland (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp & Bev Hartigan)
- 3rd – George Watkins (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp & Bev Hartigan)
- 6th - Zeke Sumner (Ambleside AC, self-coached)
- 13th – Oliver Mannion (East Cheshire Harriers, Martin Lewis)
- 16th – Charlie Dobson (Rossendale Harriers, Graham Wright & Jo Wells)
Team – 1st position
U18 Girls
- 1st - Clara McKee (Calder Valley Fell Runners, self-coached)
- 10th – Millie Jebb (Helm Hill Runners, Rob Jebb)
- 11th – Isla Jebb (Helm Hill Runners, Rob Jebb)
- 12th - Isla Pastor (Warriors PAC, Sarah & Ronan Kearney)
- 15th - Isla Yorke (Warriors PAC, Sarah & Ronan Kearney)
Team – 2nd position
U20 Men
- 5th – Adam Bentham (Mercia Fell runners, Dan Connelly)
- 7th – Michael Wood (Macclesfield Harriers, Alison Hartopp & Bev Hartigan)
- 8th – Alfie Branch (Buxton AC, self-coached)
- 10th - Jay Hutchison (Trafford AC, Mike Hutchinson)
Team – 2nd position
U20 Women
- 2nd - Rose Gilldaley (Eden Runners, Derek Hurton)
- 3rd - Connie Jenneson (Buxton AC, Alison Hartopp & Bev Hartigan)
- 4th – Emilia Frost (Dark Peak Fell Runners, self-coached)
- 6th - Graihagh Turner (Penistone Runners, Paddy Wright)
Team - 1st position
Photos by Killinchy Photographer