Emma Clayton in GB team for European Mountain Running Championships
Emma Clayton forms part of the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the European Mountain Running Championships in Gap, France, on July 12.
Bingley Harrier Clayton finished behind Italy's Alice Gaggi when claiming world mountain running silver over an up-and-down course in Poland last year and the route for the European event follows a similar format.
She will be joined on the senior women’s team by Sarah Tunstall, who finished eighth in Poland, Katie Walshaw and debutante Megan Crawford as they head to the south of France with sights set on medals.
Trials winner Robbie Simpson leads the men's team, the Scot also having represented GB & NI at the European event in 2012 and 2013, with 19th two years ago his best finish to date. Tom Addison, Shaun Dixon and trials runner-up Andrew Douglas join Simpson on the team.
The junior women’s team features Georgia Malir and Catriona Graves, who finished fifth and sixth respectively at last year’s World Championships. They are joined by Zara Knappy and Lydia Sharpe.
The junior men’s team includes trials winner Andrew Lawler, Jacob Adkin, Iolo Hughes and Ciaran Lewis.
"As is often the case with our European Championship teams, we have nice blend of new and familiar faces," commented team leader Sarah Rowell.
"The likes of Emma and Sarah have been there and done it before at this level, and so know what it takes to perform on the day.
"Last year we secured three of the four team medals on offer at both the European and World Championships, so it would be great to replicate that and challenge for individual medals."
Senior women:
Emma Clayton, Megan Crawford, Sarah Tunstall, Katie Walshaw
Senior men:
Tom Addison, Shaun Dixon, Andrew Douglas, Robbie Simpson
Junior women:
Catriona Graves, Zara Knappy, Georgia Malir, Lydia Sharpe
Junior men:
Jacob Adkin, Iolo Hughes, Andrew Lawler, Ciaran Lewis
