Six Scots hill runners head for Euros

Thursday 10th July 2014

Andrew Douglas and Robbie Simpson celebrate hill running success in their Scotland vests

A record number of six Scots form a significant part of the 16-strong Great Britain and Northern Ireland team which is now making its final preparations for the European Mountain Running Championships taking place in Gap, France, on Saturday.

In the junior women’s 4km race, Catriona Graves (Garscube Harriers, coached by John Bell) has possibly the best chance of a podium place, following her sixth position in last year’s World Championships.

Scotland has two representatives in the 8km, two-lap, junior men’s race. Andrew Lawler (Edinburgh AC, coach: David Campbell) gets his second GB vest in this event, following his emphatic win in last month’s trial race, whilst Jacob Adkin (Moorfoot, coach: Gregor Nicholson) makes his debut.

Also making her debut in a GB mountain running team is Megan Crawford (Fife, coach: Ron Morrison), who hopes to translate her excellent form on the country and the roads into success in the women’s race on this testing up and down lap course in the wooded hills to the north of Gap.

Making his fourth successive appearance in a GB vest at these championships is Robbie Simpson (Deeside, coach : Martin Cox), who is hoping to improve on his best placing to date of 19th, whilst racing alongside him will be first-timer Andrew Douglas (Inverclyde, coach:Sophie Dunnett) who will seek to use his cross-country speed to his advantage on the 12km, three-lap course which the senior men will race.

Visit the European Championship website for more information.

Malcolm Patterson

Tags: Andrew Douglas, Andrew Lawler, Catriona Graves, hill running, Jacob Adkin, Megan Crawford, Robbie Simpson