McMullan and Adams book World tickets
Andi Jones and James McMullan battle it out
After a mammoth battle at the Inter Counties in May, it was likely that James McMullan would lock horns once again with Andi Jones and Chris Smith as they all lined up for the start of today’s World Mountain Running Champs trials race in Blackburn…
So it transpired, with McMullan booking his place on the GB team for the Championships in Albania in around 4 weeks time, and possibly the Commonwealth Mountain Running Championships on the 24 Sept (as the trials were also selection races for the Welsh and English teams).
Trailing Andi Jones and Nick Swinburn on lap 2, the Thames Hare & Hounds runner battled for a long period with Smith and then Jones, as he went on to win by a slender 15 seconds from Salford Harrier – the valiant Smith finished in third.
Swinburn was looking good for a place on the Albania-bound plane, leading Jones on the second descent. However the Northumberland Fell Runner succumbed to a foot injury, eventually hobbling home in 30th.
U23 runner Matt Clowes has been running very well recently and will be delighted with fourth place, with 2010 trials winner Tom Cornthwaite next up in 5th. Orlando Edwards was 6th making up the half-a-dozen who are eligible for team selection – though word is that Andi Jones may choose not be at the World’s, so Rob Samuel in 7th could be the last counter making the team.
In the women’s race there was no such battle for the win, as that went in convincing fashion to Hallamshire’s Lizzie Adams, who has been in hot form over the last few weeks. Building her lead the longer the race went on, Adam’s winning margin was over 90 seconds by the finish.
Lizzie Adams
The next three athletes were separated by just 15 seconds as mountain specialist Kate Goodhead was runner up, with youngster Emma Clayton continuing her great season with third and a great run from Mary Wilkinson taking the fourth spot on the team.
Such was the quality of the racing in the women’s event that GB mountain runners – and World Champs team medalists in the past – Victoria Wilkinson and Sarah Tunstall had to settle for 5th and 6th respectively.
GB teams for the World Championships on the 11th of September, along with the English and Welsh Commonwealth selections, are expected later this week.
Leading positions
Men
1. James McMullan Thames Hare & Hounds 48:40
2. Andi Jones Salford Harriers & AC 48:55
3. Chris Smith Thames Valley Harriers 49:11
4. Matthew Clowes Staffs Moorlands AC 49:34
5. Tom Cornthwaite Northumberland FR 49:39
6. Orlando Edwards Shaftesbury & Barnet 50:16
Women
1. Lizzie Adams Hallamshire Harriers 38:00
2. Kate Goodhead Bristol & West AC 39:34
3. Emma Clayton Bingley Harriers & AC 39:38
4. Mary Wilkinson Bingley Harriers & AC 39:49
5. Victoria Wilkinson Bingley Harriers & AC 40:16
6. Sarah Tunstall Kendal AC 40:32
Full results are now online here. Some excellent early images from Bryan Mills here and on Facebook here.
