The British Athletics team will take to the trails of Italy today as the ten British representatives race in the IAU World Trail Championships in Badia Pratlagia, Italy. 

Following his victory in 3:54.18 over 32 miles at the official trial event, the Haworth Hobble, back in March, Tom Payn heads up the quintet of senior men as he bids to betetr his 47th place finish from last year’s championships in Portugal.

Company to Payn comes from Gareth Hughes and Matt Roberts, both of whom secured their spots on the team automatically following respective second and third place finishes at the trial event, while Kyle Grieg (Lewis Walker) earns his first British vest on he back of a hearty run at Haworth Hobble for fourth. 

The top three female finishers from Haworth’s trial event are all present on the team in Italy following resolute runs in Yorkshire, with British Athletics team debutant Julie Briscoe (Bashir Hussain) heading up the women’s team following her breaking of the tape.  

Set to compete at her third consecutive IAU World Trail Championships, Sally Fawcett will join Briscoe on the start line along with Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn. 

Further firepower for the women’s team comes from Carnethy athlete Helen Bonsor, while last year’s World Trail team bronze medallists Jo Meek and Jo Zakrzewski will hope to emulate their runs from Portugal’s championships last October as the pair complete the sextet of senior women present on the team. 

The British Athletics team for the IAU World Trail Championships in Badia Pratlagia, Italy on Saturday 10 June 2017:  

Men:

Kyle Grieg (Lewis Walker) 

Gareth Hughes 

Tom Payn

Matt Roberts 

Women:

Helen Bonsor

Julie Briscoe (Bashir Hussain)

Sally Fawcett

Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn

Jo Meek

Jo Zakrzewski 

An action report will follow from the championships early next week.