From Angela Mudge
After the torrential rain on day one of the European Off orad Champs, the trail runners had dry but humid conditions on day two to race the 52Km and 2450m ascent /descent.
The route started in Kamik, climbed to Valika Planina reaching the highest point after 15km and covering half the climb before very fast running on the next 37Km on forest roads, single track and forest paths.
Sasha Chepelin (Carnethy) had a strong run to finish third counter in the team in 27th place (4.25.54).
Sasha said: ‘Conditions were tough, I struggled up the first climb but managed to hold it together for the team to the finish.’
The GB and NI team finished in fifth place as France won with 11 points.
The women’s team finished in fourth place. Kirsty Oldham (Dundee) on her GB debut finished in 48th and ran a brave race struggling with cramp from an early stage.
On Sunday in Slovenia, Britain won two individual and two team bronzes on the final day in the up and down races.
For the Seniors 13.1km and 825m of ascent/descent. Edinburgh AC’s Nancy Scott had a brilliant race to take individual silver in the senior women’s event and leading the team to a bronze medal.
Nancy was in third place at the end of the first small lap and climbed strongly on the second bigger lap to overhaul France’s Nelie Clement on the second climb to take second.
Nancy battled with Nelie all the way home and beat her to the line by seven seconds. Scout Adkin (Moorfoot)also paced the race well and came home in fourth place.
‘I am really happy with my race, it went surprisingly well,’ said Nancy.
‘The midday heat and mud on the descent was challenging so it was a relif to reahc the road section into Kamnik. I@ve also enjoyed spectating and witneesing the Gb team’s strong perforamnces.
‘Scout said: ‘Conditions were tough, it was really hot out there and I worked hard to maintain my fourth position over the course. It’s great to be part of the bronze medal winning team, after winning team gold in the uphill.’
Naomi Lang (Carnethy) was third counter home and finished in 23rd place.
The U20 men raced well to take another team bronze. Ewan Busfield took individual bronze and led the team home.
Scottish athletes Ben Hodson (Stewartry) and Lachlan Thomas (Ross County) paced the climb really well, after a furious start to climb strongly and save enough to have good descents and pass several runners. Ben finished in 12th and Lachlan in 13th over the 5.7km and 325m of ascent/descent.
Ben said: ‘Wearing a GB vest for the first time is a dream come true, and I could not be prouder of my performance today. It was an intense race and I kept on my feet (several athletes did not!) and worked my way through the field to 12th, helping us secure team bronze.’
Lachlan said: ‘The course was tough on the steep climbs, but I clawed it back on the descent and was fun working with Ben and Adam (Bentham) throughout the race. Ecstatic with team bronze.’
In the U20 Women’s race Nancy Corrie (Harmeny AC) wasn’t so lucky. Nancy was in fifth place on the climb when the second placed runner led the field astray and she rejoined the main route/field midway through the pack and finished in 22nd.
European Athletics reviewed the result but the final places stood as the course was adequately marked. This also affected the team positions.
In the Senior Men’s race Matt Knowles (Carnethy) led the team home finishing in 15th place, after a nasty fall on the final descent where he lost several places. Finn Lydon (Carnethy) on his GB debut suffered in the hot conditions to finish in 46th.
Unfortunately Thomas Hilton (EUHH) picked up an injury in the lead up to the championships and withdrew from the team.
Tags:
European Off Road Champs, Nancy Scott, Scout Adkin, Slovenia