Malir to defend European title in Portugal

Great Britain & Northern Ireland will send a competitive team to Porto Moniz in Portugal next month for the European (Uphill) Mountain Running Championships (Saturday 4 July). The teams will seek to replicate the success from last year when they won two individual and three team medals.

Georgia Malir (handicap 2.5) will defend her European (up & down) crown next month after earning selection for the junior women’s team. The Ilkley athlete stormed to the title in Gap last year and will be aiming for further silverware at the 2015 edition.

She will be supported by the winner of the trials held at the second leg of the British Athletics Mountain Running Challenge, Heidi Davies (handicap 2.4) as well as Elizabeth Apsley (handicap 4.7) and fifth placed athlete at the World Mountain Running Championships last year, Catriona Graves.

The senior men’s team includes last year’s European (up & down) silver medallist Robbie Simpson (handicap -4.3) who enjoyed one of the performances of his career 12 months ago to reach the podium. He will be part of a strong team consisting of Trials winner Andrew Douglas (handicap -3.5), Chris Smith (handicap -3.1) and Nick Swinburn (handicap -5.3) who will be eyeing more accolades in July.

2013 World (up & down) Mountain Running Championships silver medallist Emma Clayton (handicap -0.4) will lead the senior women’s squad who will be targeting a team place on the rostrum. After placing third at the trials last week, Clayton will be joined by GB & NI internationals Victoria Wilkinson (handicap 20.3)  and Rebecca Robinson (handicap -0.3) , as well as Annie Conway (handicap 9.0) who will be making her debut in a British vest. 

The junior men’s team will be led by trials winner Max Nicholls (handicap -2.2) who will be supported by Jacob Adkin (handicap 4.0), Ciaran Lewis (handicap -1.5) and Jack Willis (handicap 0.0) as they look to improve upon a fourth spot in the team standings last year.

Team Leader Sarah Rowell commented: “There were some really strong performances at the Trials last weekend and I am very excited about the potential of the squad heading to Portugal.

“This is one of the strongest British teams we have ever sent to the European Mountain Running Championships. It is not unrealistic to say that all the teams could win medals at these championships”.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the European Mountain Running Championships in Portugal on Saturday 4 July:

Senior Men

Andrew Douglas (handicap -3.5)

Robbie Simpson (handicap -4.3)

Chris Smith (handicap -3.1)

Nick Swinburn (handicap -5.3)

Senior Women

Emma Clayton (handicap -0.4)

Annie Conway (handicap 9.0)

Rebecca Robinson (handicap -0.3)

Victoria Wilkinson (handicap 20.3)

Junior Men

Jacob Adkin (handicap 4.0)

Ciaran Lewis (handicap -1.5)

Max Nicholls (handicap -2.2)

Jack Willis (handicap 0.0)

Junior Women

Elizabeth Apsley (handicap 4.7)

Heidi Davies (handicap 2.4)

Catriona Graves (handicap 6.2)

Georgia Malir (handicap 2.5)