Vernon wins UKA Euro trial race
Steve Vernon at Crans Montana 2008
Last time we mentioned Steve Vernon on MST is was whilst he was slurping around on the country, having a great winter of XC, winning the Northern and National champs. The Stockport man was a winner once again today, bit this time is was on the fells of the Lake District…
Official results a little short in their availability at the moment, but via Twitter, Facebook and emails I have cobbled together a top 7 or so men’s result along with brief reaction from the top 3 men.
The race from Fitz Park served as the trial for the forthcoming (uphill only) European Mountain Running Championships and saw the fast men and women of UK mountain running take on 12.2 and 8.9kms respectively of the brutally steep, and regular big race venue, Latrigg and Skiddaw mountains – overlooking Keswick.
In warm and dry conditions Vernon took the win, ahead of Salford’s Andi Jones and young Northumbrian mountain and road talent Nick Swinburn.
Selection for those Euro Champs was guaranteed for the first two men and first two women, with the other places at the discretion of the selectors – with the full GB team being selected on the Sunday (12 June).
Writing on his Twitter feed just minutes after the race Vernon tweeted:
SteveVernon29: UKA Mountain Running Champion! Really pleased! Skiddaw is bloody steep!
Jones has a blog on Runners Life, and logged today’s race as:
Race was advertised at 12km. 1 mile warm up, 7.10 mile race with 3800ft of climb, 4.55 mile back down. (Total for the day 12.65 mile) 2nd place in the race behind winner Steve Vernon. Nick Swinburn third. Race was a selection race and second race in the Mountain series. Was pleased to be close to Vernon and to beat the lads who beat me at the Inter Counties a few weeks back.
Andi Jones should be a contender
The unofficial leading positions were as follows:
1. Steve Vernon
2. Andi Jones
3. Nick Swinburn
4. Adam Osbourne
5. Chris Smith
6. Martin Cox
7. Robbie Simpson
Images and full results (including the women’s race) will be published asap…
