Trofeo Nasego World Cup Mountain Race

The Nasego World Cup Mountain running weekend, held on 24-25 May, featured two races. Saturday saw the Vertical Nasego, which climbs 1000m over a distance of 4.2km, while Sunday was the classic Trofeo Nasego, a 21.5km up and down race.

This weekend also incorporated a Six Nations competition, bringing together teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, and host nation Italy. Three men and three women would need to race each day, and the result was a combined score of the Vertical Nasego and the Trofeo Nasego races. England's team consisted of 4 men and 4 women.

The England Mountain Running Team arrived in Casto, Northern Italy, on Thursday evening to unexpected rain. Arriving early allowed the team to settle in, relax and recce the lower sections of both courses on Friday morning. This was convenient, as the Italian village served as the event hub, and the start line for both races was just metres from the team's accommodation on the main street. Friday evening's elite athlete presentation further boosted the atmosphere and motivated everyone for the weekend's races.

Vertical Nasego 1000m/4.2km

Women

The women's race kicked off at 10am. With temperatures around 10-11 degrees, conditions were ideal, though the ascent would still be very tough. Representing England were Sara Willhoit (Shrewsbury AC), Elle Twentyman (Rugby & Northampton AC) and Scarlet Dale (Helm Hill Runners).

The start was fast and leading the way was last year’s winner Philaries Kisang (Kenya), followed closely by last year's overall World Cup winner Scout Adkin (Scotland). The England team were packed well in the top 20. At 1km to go you still have 500m ascent to climb making the last part of the course extremely tough!

Kisang held on to win, with Scout closing strong to secure 2nd. Sara had a fantastic run to finish 5th, just ahead of Scotland's Kirsty Dickson, Elle found the last 1km tough but dug in and finished 15th. Scarlet, making her senior debut, struggled towards the end but held on to finish 26th.

Men

The men’s race started 45 minutes later, led out by the Kenyan athletes Philemon Kiriago and Richard Atuga. The Italian team were packing well with three of their athletes in the top 10, while Scotland had Robbie Simpson just outside the top 10. Ben Rothery (Ilkley Harriers AC, Sarah McCormack) and Oscar Subuh-Symons (Ambleside AC, Sarah McCormack) were the leading English runners, followed by George Foster (Keswick AC, Sarah McCormack) and Grant Cunliffe (Rossendale).

Richard Atuya went on to win in an incredible time with a new record of 33mins 23sec, over a minute ahead of his teammate. The Italian team had athletes in 3rd, 4th and 8th which gave them the lead in the Six Nations competition after day one. Oscar had a great race and finished 19th in his first ever vertical ascent. Ben and George had strong races coming in 30th and 34th. Grant struggled with the very steep climb and finished 43rd. This placed England in 4th after the first day of competition.

Trofeo Nasego Classic up and down race. 1330m/21.5km

Men

On Sunday, all England team members competed, feeling prepared for the new challenge after the previous day's race. Everyone set off at the same time and Saturday's winner, Kiriago, again led the way, followed by another Kenyan athlete Paul Machoka and Italy's Luciano Rota. The classic up and down race would suit the English athletes and all the men were in the top 30, led by Grant Cunliffe.

The first 10km was fast-paced, and most of the climbing came from 11km to 16km as the athletes ran up to Rifugio Nasego. At the top the Kenyan Kiriago had opened up a commanding lead and went on to win by over 2mins. The next three positions were also filled by Kenyans. Rota had a great run for Italy finishing 5th.

Robbie Simpson was the leading British athlete, finishing 8th for Scotland. Ben Rothery had a strong descent and finished 15th. Grant was more comfortable in the up and down race and had a great run to finish 19th. Oscar followed on from Saturday’s great result to finish 22nd and George also finished strongly, coming home in 29th position.

Women

The women’s race was led out by Saturday’s winner, Philaries Kisang and like the previous day was followed very closely by Scotland’s Scout Adkin. Once again, the English athletes were more comfortable with the up and down format of racing. Leading the way for England was Elle Twentyman, who enjoyed the faster sections of the course, with Sara Willhoit close behind. Nichola Jackson and Scarlet Dale completed the team, all in good positions.

At the front nothing changed and at the highest point at Rifugio Nasego, Philaries Kisang maintained a small gap and went on the win in a very quick time of 1hr 46m 16sec, ahead of Scotland's Scout Adkin. Sara Willhoit, England’s best runner on Saturday, came through strongly to finish 8th, just ahead of Elle Twentyman who had a great run to finish 9th. Nichola Jackson struggled with an ankle injury but held on to finish 15th. Scarlet Dale unfortunately had to withdraw from the race due to illness.

On the second day of racing, Italy again led the way in the Six Nations competition, but England had a stronger performance, finishing 2nd for the day. However, once all the results were calculated, this didn't improve England's overall position which remained 4th.

Results - Vertical Ascent

Men

1st: Richard Atuya (Kenya) 33m 23
19th: Oscar Subuh-Symons (England) 37m 58
30th: Ben Rothery (England) 39m 50
34th: George Foster (England) 40m 48
43rd: Grant Cunliffe (England) 42m 14

Women

1st: Philaries Kisang (Kenya) 38m 55
5th: Sara Willhoit (England) 42m 20
15th: Elle Twentyman (England) 46m 10
26th: Scarlet Dale (England) 48m 48

Results - Classic Trofeo Nasego

Men

1st: Philemon Kiriago (Kenya) 1hr 31m 43
15th: Ben Rothery (England) 1hr 40m 25
19th: Grant Cunliffe (England) 1hr 41m 37
22nd: Oscar Subuh-Symons (England) 1hr 42m 31
29th: George Foster (England) 1hr 45m 11

Women

1st: Philaries Kisang (Kenya) 1hr 46m 16
8th: Sara Willhoit (England) 1hr 58m 17
9th: Elle Twentyman (England) 1hr 58m 17
15th: Nichola Jackson (England) 2hr 02m 45

Results - Six Nations Cup

1st: Italy - 56 points
2nd: Scotland - 87 points
3rd: France - 93 points
4th: England - 99 points