Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be represented by 11 athletes at the inaugural IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) 50km European Championships in Avila, Spain on 8th October 2022.

Following the two trial races held on the 3 April at the 50km race at the Anglo Celtic Plate in Perth, and the Manchester Marathon, six men and five women have been selected for the Championships.

Nigel Martin achieved automatic selection following his 2:15.29 clocking over the marathon distance in Manchester, a personal best time for the Sale Harriers Manchester athlete. In doing so he earned his first British vest.

Previous GB & NI senior internationals Andrew Davies (Steve Vernon, Stockport), Alex Milne (Hercules Wimbledon) and Dan Nash (Self-coached, Cardiff) join the squad of six. Nash was third at the 2019 IAU World 50km Championships, while Milne was 15^th. Davies was fifth at the 2016 edition, so the trio add valuable experience to the British team for the European edition of the event.

Also joining the men’s squad in Spain will be Ronnie Richmond (Bideford) and Will Mycroft (Cambridge and Coleridge) who have been called-up to a British team for the first time in their careers.

In the women’s quintet, Chloe Richardson (Peter Stewart, Birchfield) gained automatic selection in Manchester after running a time of 2.33.25 over the 26.2-mile distance. The Birchfield Harrier will make her maiden appearance for GB & NI when she pulls on the vest in October.

The four athletes alongside her in the team will also be making their international debuts and they include Rebecca Bunting (Jacob Howe, London Heathside), Ali Lavender (Andrew Walling, Oswestry), Sally Ratcliffe (Geoff Watkin, Aldershot, Farnham and District) and Elizabeth Renondeau (Vale Royal).

Team Leader, Walter Hill, said, “The two trial events demonstrated the high standard of athletes in the UK who want to race over the 50km distance.

“We have enjoyed success at the world championships in recent times, so I’m looking forward to seeing how our team of previous GB & NI internationals and debutants fare at the inaugural European edition.”

The British team for the IAU 50km European Championships in Avila, Spain:

Men:

Andrew Davies (Steve Vernon, Stockport)

Nigel Martin (Sale Harriers Manchester)

Alex Milne (Hercules Wimbledon)

Will Mycroft (Cambridge and Coleridge)

Dan Nash (self-coached, Cardiff)

Ronnie Richmond (Bideford)

Women:

Rebecca Bunting (Jacob Howe, London Heathside)

Ali Lavender (Andrew Walling, Oswestry)

Sally Ratcliffe (Geoff Watkin, Aldershot, Farnham and District)

Chloe Richardson (Peter Stewart, Birchfield)

Elizabeth Renondeau (Vale Royal)