27 June 2008

UK Athletics have selected a 15-strong Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team for next month’s European Mountain Running Championships in Zell am Harmersbach, Germany. The up and down course that will confront the teams on 12 July 2008, should suit the British contingent and hopes are high that they can maintain their fine record at this annual championship.

Since 2002, GB & NI have never failed to return with at least a team medal from this event. Team leader Adrian Woods is optimistic over the team’s chances this year.

He said: “I think we have a good spread of talent throughout the team. If everyone runs to their potential, there is no reason why we cannot succeed. It promises to be a fast course and that should suit us.

"We have seven athletes making their debuts for Great Britain and Northern Ireland and it promises to be a great opportunity for them to make a mark on the international stage."

Senior Men

Steve Vernon (Stockport Harriers)
James Walsh (Leeds AC)
Rob Hope * (Pudsey & Bramley)
Joe Symonds (Dundee Hawkhill)

Senior Women

Sarah Tunstall (Kendal)
Katie Ingham (Horwich)
Candice Taylor* (Clayton Le Moors)
Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley Harriers)

Junior Men

Ricky Challinor* (Deeside AAC)
Tom Addison (Helm Hill)
Matthew Gillespie* (Central AC)
Peter Matthews* (Blackburn Harriers)

Junior Women

Hannah Bateson (Lancaster & Morecombe)
Jessica Martin* (Kilbarchan AAC)
Elinor Kirk* (Swansea Harriers)

Team Leader

Adrian Woods

Team Coaches

Jackie Newton
Bashir Hussain

Physio

Greame Everad

*Denotes GB & NI debut