Simpson and Wilkinson book tickets to Turkey
Robbie Simpson posted one of the most impressive results in his young mountain running career today, as he defeated a host of seasoned internationals to win the senior GB trials for the EMRC in Turkey in July…
After a frustrating start to 2012 with injury Mary Wilkinson also re-iterated her class with a great win in the women’s trial, booking herself yet another GB vest.
Robbie bides his time
20-year old Deeside runner Simpson has had a somewhat stellar career in the last 3 years with such wins as the International Snowdon Race and a bronze medal at last year’s World Long Distance Champs, however by winning the trial Simpson also books his first senior GB vest, and underlines the fact that he is one of the brightest lights in UK fell and mountain running at the moment.
In today’s race in Sedbergh he bided his time after the likes of Steve Vernon and Chris Smith set a furious pace in the first 5km of the 11.4km race. After first reeling in James McMullan and Orlando Edwards, Simpson set about Smith and Vernon on the third loop of Winder.
With his impressive descending skills he was able to overtake Vernon (who at one stage had almost 30 seconds advantage) in the last couple of Kms and take the win in 47.13 vs Vernon’s 47.25. Smith (47.41) finished 3rd ahead of Orlando Edwards.
Simpson and Vernon guarantee their places on the GB squad, with the remaining two places being in the hands of the selectors.
A great little highlights film of the senior men’s race is already online, courtesy of Bethanie Murray and athleticos.org.
Men’s Top 10
1 Robbie Simpson 47.13
2 Steve Vernon 47.25
3 Chris Smith 47.41
4 Orlando Edwards 47.56
5 James McMullan 48.13
6 Gareth Raven 48.16
7 Alun Vaughan 48.54
8 Mark Addison 49.02
9 Adam Osbourne 49.08
10 Simon Bailey 49.35
Wilkinson show her class, once again
Mary Wilkinson has been a great servant to GB mountain running over the years, being part of many a successful team at both World and European level. Today, she used he descending prowess to great effect as she pulled away from the in-form Emma Clayton to win the women’s trial by 4 seconds, after being at the head of affairs for much of the 7.6km race.
Mary Wilkinson
Behind Clayton young Katie Walshaw ran a great race for third, with recent 3 Peaks winner Sarah O’Neil in fourth. Young Scot Cat Buchanan made up the leading 5 women’s places.
Women’s top 5
1 Mary Wilkinson 35.58,
2 Emma Clayton 36.02
3 Katie Walshaw 36.27,
4 Sarah O’Neil 36.45,
5 Cat Buchanan 37.45
In the junior races Joe Johnson and Annabel Mason secured their places too with comfortable wins.
Full results and images to follow…
