7 April 2017 

Over 20 athletes attended the seventh British Athletics mountain running camp in Leeds last weekend. The camp, supported by British Athletics, gave the athletes an opportunity to come together to share best practice in preparation for the forthcoming international season.

The weekend was opened by camp organiser Sarah Rowell, the mountain running lead at British Athletics; with international medal winning athletes including European mountain running team bronze medallists Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett) and Ben Mounsey as well as European (up and down) mountain running junior bronze medallist Heidi Davies among those attending the weekend events.

The activities over the weekend included a series of development workshops with team coaches, nutritionists and physios engaging with the athletes, as well as specific workshops on ‘Mind Excellence’ and technique/drills sessions on ‘functional movement on the mountains’.

Newcomer Bella Williams (Rob Lewis) who was selected for the junior women’s team at the European mountain running championships in 2016 said:

“This is my first training camp and experience of being away in a non-competitive environment.  As I live in a relative flat area, this weekend has given me the opportunity to do some good hill work with other experienced athletes. I have found the workshops useful and in particular the session on drills very beneficial.  My aim this year is to make the world mountain running championships (up and down) team but I still want to keep a focus on the track and will compete at the English Schools.”

Experienced British team member Mary Wilkinson commented on the weekend’s events:

“The British Athletics Mountain Running camp has been a really informative and inspiring way to start the season. Spending time and training with team mates really builds motivation which will hopefully enable us to continue our international successes. The camp was a great mix of training and presentations with each speaker giving us some really useful ideas to incorporate into our training and propel us forwards.”

Duncan Richards, England team manager and coach added:

“It has been an invaluable experience, learning and refining skills to enhance performance, train with others and build relationships and developing and awareness of the exciting opportunities available as we look forward to a new Mountain Running season.”

For more details on mountain running, please follow the link: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/competitions/mountain-running/