'Team Snowdon' excel in Italy
The trio of Andi Jones, Robbie Simpson and Murray Strain in the men’s relay race, and Pippa Maddams and Christina Rankin in the women’s individual race put on great performances over the weekend at the 52nd Trofeo Vanoni in Morbegno,,,
All five were ‘representatives’ of the International Snowdon Race, after finishing the respective top 3’s in July.
In the 5km women’s race Pippa Maddams ran superbly for third, after reportedly leading at the top of the climb. At barely 20 mins long, with a fast start town centre start, the race didn’t play to the 3-time British Fell Champs’ strengths. However finishing just 15 seconds down on Italy’s Alice Gaggi will no doubt be a pleasing result for the Cumbrian.
Pippa leads early on
Young Scot Christina Rankin also had a strong race, running into 11th position just over 30 seconds back on Maddams and second in the U23 classification.
Women’s top 5
1 GAGGI ALICE – G.S. VALGEROLA – 0.22.37
2 SKALNIKOVA EVA – REPUBBLICA CECA – 0.22.50
3 MADDAMS PIPPA – GRAN BRETAGNA – SNOWDON RACE T 0.22.52
4 KOSOVELJ MATEJA – SLOVENIA – 0.22.54
5 WOSZCZEK DANUTA – POLONIA – 0.23.11
Pippa (left) with Christina in the Italian sunshine
In the men’s race the Jones, Strain and Simpson ran a superb race. With all three running times that were inside the 13 fastest of the day, it was left for Simpson to anchor the squad to silver, coming through from fourth at the top of the final climb.
Similar to the women’s event the course starts and finishes in the picturesque Italian town of Morbegno, and with top road man and 5 time winner of Snowdon, Andi Jones on leg one the team were guaranteed a fast start.
Jones’ time was good enough for 13th best on the day and he handed over to Murray Strain, who stormed around the 7.25 km course in 30.56 for 9th best time, putting Simpson right in contention on the final leg. The Deeside AC youngster didn’t disappoint, showing just why he is considered one of the brightest mountain running prospects in Europe with an excellent 30.53, to secure the silver for the boys in black and second fastest U23 on the day.
Robbie on the Morbegno slopes
Such was the strength of competition at this classic event this year that 2010 winners France – including Julian Rancon – had to settle for 6th, over two minutes down on winner GS Orobie.
A travelling Welsh team comprising youngster Mike Kallenburg, Filipe Jones and Richard Phillips finished a highly creditable 14th.
Top 3 teams
1 GS OROBIE (Italy) 1.32.23
2 GRAN BRETAGNA – SNOWDON RACE TEAM 1.33.00
3 LA RECASTELLO RADICI – 1.33.10
