Britain’s mountain runners had a busy weekend with selection races for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships to be held in Thailand. To reflect the timetable in the Championships the uphill race was held on Friday in Keswick with athletes travelling over the border to Moffat for Sunday’s up-and-down race, which also doubled as the UK Championships.

In the uphill race, 2019 European Champion Jacob Adkin (Keswick) made a good return after Covid prevented him from defending his European title in July. He was followed by Joe Steward (Salford), who finished 7^th in this year’s European Championships. Dan Haworth and Chris Richards completed the top four.

In the women’s race the 2019 World Chamionships bronze medallist, Phillipa Williams (Dark Peak Fell Runners), made a strong return to form to take the win. She was closely followed by Holly Page (Edinburgh University Hare & Hounds) and Ruth Jones (Salford). Sara Willhoit (Mercia) took fourth.

The up-and-down trials on Sunday also included an U20 race. The quality of the field in the U20 women’s race meant that competition was fierce. Athletes who had won individual and team medals at the European Championships in July were competing against some athletes who had been unavailable for that event. National Cross Country champion Jess Bailey (Leven Valley) took the win from Ellen Weir (Hercules Wimbledon), as she did in the National Cross Country Championships. The pair were closely followed by Rebecca Flaherty (Bingley) and Emily Gibbins (Ilkley).

In the U20 men’s event, the 2022 European bronze medallist, Fin Grant, had a close battle with his team mate from that Championships, Fraser Gilmour (Kilbarchan), with the pair crossing the line together. They were closely followed by Will Longden (Buxton) and Ed Corden (Stockport).

In the senior women’s event Phillipa Williams repeated her win from Friday night with Holly Page again taking second spot after a sprint finish with Kate Avery (Shildon). In the men’s event Scottish athletes filled three of the first four places with the experienced Andy Douglas (Inverclyde) just outsprinting Alexander Chepelin (Carnethy) to take the British title. Chris Richards (Helm Hill) got bronze and Ross Gollan (Shettleston) took fourth.

The quality of these trials means that there will be strong teams for the World Mountain and Trail Championships. Teams will be announced week commencing 20 September.