The British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championship races produced some exciting battles against the stunning backdrop of the Lakeland hills on Saturday.

In the U17 race Alex Poulston (Wirral AC), running for England, was a clear winner in the U17 boy’s race ahead of Carmarthen’s Iwan Thomas, and led the England A team to victory.

Amelie Lane (Wharfedale/England) came out on top after a close battle with her teammate Georgia Bell (Leven Valley/England). Both Lane and Bell were part of the silver medal-winning GB & NI team at the European Off-Road Championships in July. With Isabel Holt (Blackburn/England) in third it was a clean sweep for England.

In the U20 men’s race European bronze medallist (up-and-down) Fin Grant (Dark Peak/England) went into an early lead but Scottish triathlon international Struan Bennet (Fife/Scotland) was never far behind and the race came down to a thrilling sprint finish with Bennet taking the title. Bennet’s teammate Fraser Gilmour (Kilbarchan/Scotland) took bronze, helping Scotland to the team win.

After a close race on the climb European silver medallist (up-and-down) Eve Whitaker (Harrogate/England) pulled away from teammate and European bronze medallist (uphill) Charlotte Rawstron (Skyrac/England) on the descent to take victory in the U20 women’s race.

Despite third placed runner Emily Gibbins (Ilkley) running for the England B team, England A took the win in the team competition thanks to a good run from Lucy Bednall (Buxton) in ninth place overall.

Next year’s event moves to Peebles in the Scottish Borders and is open to all U17 and U20 athletes. Details will be here nearer the time.

Full results from 2022 here.

*Photo credit: Steve Ashworth