A full team of 20 British athletes are all set to compete at the World Mountain Running Championships in Villa La Angostura in Argentina, starting today and finishing on Saturday.

European gold medallist from 2016 Emmie Collinge (Alta Valtellina), 2017 world bronze medallist Sarah Tunstall (Kendal) and reigning European senior men’s and junior men’s champions Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson; Keswick) and Joe Dugdale (Copeland) will kick start the British charge today as a total of 13 athletes make up the classic – up and down – team.

Collinge, who also won world silver in 2015, leads the senior women’s team alongside Tunstall which sees the experienced medallists joined by Phillipa Williams (Sheffield RC) and Heidi Davies (U.S. Malonno).

Williams will make her debut for GB & NI following a solid performance at the trials where she finished second. Meanwhile, Davies, a junior bronze medallist from the 2016 European championships, completes the quartet.

After his European success earlier this year, Adkin will be a contender once again in the senior men’s race. Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett; Inverclyde), winner of the trials, lines up in supreme form having already secured the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup title with one race to spare. Following injury, Joe Steward (Harry Kelly; East Cheshire) makes his comeback appearance after a second-place finish at the trials in Wales.

European champion Dugdale spearheads a strong junior men’s team which includes fellow European team gold medallist, Matthew Mackay (Steve Duxbury; Rossendale). Joe Hudson (Alan Buckley; Keighley & Craven) and Matthew Knowles (Lancaster & Morecambe) will make their first appearances for GB & NI.

In the junior women’s team, trials winner Lauren Dickson (Andrew Henderson; Lasswade) has unfortunately been forced to withdraw through injury. Debutant Eden O’Dea (Deeside) and Eve Pannone (Derek Hurton; Eden Runners), who was the highest placed Briton at the European championships earlier this year, will continue to fly the British flag in Argentina.

The following day seven British athletes will compete in the long distance events – including two reigning world champions.

Charlotte Morgan (Carnethy) claimed victory in the women’s race in 2018, becoming the second British woman to win the race in two years following Annie Conway’s success in 2016. Meanwhile, Jonathan Albon was crowned the IAU / ITRA trail world champion in June, as well as winning team silver, and he leads the men’s squad.

Trails winner at the Snowdonia marathon Kirsteen Welch (Norman Wilson; Sidmouth), and Sara Willhoit (Shrewsbury) earn their maiden call-ups to a GB & NI team however Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley), who was also part of the world silver medal winning team in 2018, will unfortunately no longer compete.

In the men’s team, Albon will be joined by winner of the trials, Nick Swinburn (Lindsay Dunn; Morpeth), the 2009 world mountain running silver medallist. Seb Batchelor (City of York) earns a call-up to his third British team of the year following the European mountain running championships and trail worlds.

In a change to the initial team selected, Tom Evans (Allison Benton; Lewes), last year’s IAU / ITRA Trail world championships bronze medallist, is replaced by third placer in Snowdonia in July Jack Wood (Ilkley).

The British Athletics team for the World Mountain Running Championships in Villa La Angostura, Argentina.

Classic Team – Friday 15 November

Senior Men – 14:45 start UK time

Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson; Keswick)

Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett; Inverclyde)

Joe Steward (Harry Kelly; East Cheshire)

Senior Women – 15:15 start UK time

Emmie Collinge (Alta Valtellina)

Heidi Davies (U.S Malonno)

Sarah Tunstall (Kendal)

Phillipa Williams (Sheffield RC)

Junior Men – 12:45 start UK time

Joe Dugdale (Copeland)

Joe Hudson (Alan Buckley; Keighley & Craven)

Matthew Knowles (Lancaster & Morecambe)

Matthew Mackay (Steve Duxbury; Rossendale)

Junior Women – 13:15 start UK time

Eden O’Dea (Deeside)

Eve Pannone (Derek Hurton; Eden Runners)

Long Distance Team – Saturday 16 November

Senior Men – 11:40 start UK time

Jonathan Albon

Sebastian Batchelor (City of York)

Nick Swinburn (Lindsay Dunn; Morpeth)

Jack Wood (Ilkley)

Senior Women – 11:40 start UK time

Charlotte Morgan (Carnethy)

Kirsteen Welch (Norman Wilson; Sidmouth)

Sara Willhoit (Shrewsbury)