International Youth Cup

Arco di Trento,

Italy

 29th June 2014

On Sunday 29th June, the 9th World Mountain Running Association International Youth Cup for under 18 athletes took place with two of Blackburn Harriers talented young athletes – Liz Greenwood and Jack Hindle – securing selection to represent England.

Jack who was delighted to have won his place in the team finished 24th (23.58) out of the 47 strong international field and 4th England athlete home – the first three winning the Team Bronze Medal – and told the Club that “When I was selected to race for my country I was over the moon! Racing for England in Italy was such a good experience and such a great feeling to wear the vest!! I didn’t have the best of starts, but got my head down and worked away!! I lost my timing chip halfway round and had to turn back to get it! I felt strong on the last part of the race, gaining places and finishing strong, on what was the longest finishing straight ever!! I am happy with my race and couldn’t ask for a better experience – I also found the conditions very challenging with the hot and humid temperatures! And slippy roads and cobbles due to the rain!!”

10516400_608771765886685_2082639056_o

Boys Individual Results HERE

Boys Team Results HERE

10346102_1479416592304569_2830582734354412459_n

Liz was also pleased to have been selected, finished in 19th place (21.31) in a 49 strong field and 2nd England counter commented that We flew out to Verona on Friday before travelling an hour into the mountains to Arco where the race was held, the area was beautiful. On Saturday we did a recce around the course before jumping in the freezing cold swimming pool. The course was great but very challenging as the climb was very steep up to the castle at the top. I didn’t do as well as I had hoped in the race but enjoyed it nonetheless and the whole weekend was a great experience particularly meeting lots of athletes from other countries.”

10365367_249559848588182_7725366327384642910_o

Girls Individual Results HERE

Girls Team Results HERE

10353449_249559681921532_5756516328375024055_o

 (Report from WWW.WRMA.org)

On Sunday, June 29, a record 17 nations participated (96 runners in total) in the 9th WMRA International Youth Cup in Arco, Italy, hosted by Castle Mountain Running/Garda Trentino.
The athletes, ages 16 and 17, raced over a varied course starting in the town square. It was a unique event including cobblestones on the pathway, numerous steps on the ascent toward the 12th century castle, grassy terrain, steep descents, and dirt pathway through olive groves. Six nations had athletes with medals: France with two gold and one silver and Italy with two gold and one brone were the leaders of this event. Russia and Turkye won one silver and one bronze each; then Bulgaria took one silver and England won one bronze. It was a very challenging course with the girls running nearly 4 kilometers, and the boys nearly 5 kilometers. In the girls race, the early lead went to Burcu Subatan (TUR) who was first to reach the flat grassy section just beyond the one kilometre mark. But the course did not stop climbing here. Subatan lead up the roadway toward the castle and more steps and then on the descent, a few of the chase runners – Elsa Racasan (FRA), Tatiana Ivanaeva  (RUS), Sinaida Antonova (RUS) started to gain ground. Coming out of the forest, Racasan took the lead and crossed the finish line in Arco timed in 19:43. Second was Ivanaeva in 19:55, while Subatan was third in 20:02. There were 48 finishers in the girls race (49 at the start).In the team competition, France won gold with 30 points followed by Bulgaria with 33 points and Russia 1 with 35 points.
The men’s competition also saw a runner from Turkey leading after the first climb. This runner was Abdullah Yorulmaz. But on the descent, Yorulmaz, with a 10 second lead, missed a turn and Davide Magnini overtook him and increased the lead. Yorulmaz was not strong on the descent and even though he made it back on course quickly, he was overtaken by six more runners and ended up in eighth position. Magnini was cheered by the home town crowd as he finished more than 30 seconds in front of the second runner. Magnini was timed in 21:29 followed by Pierre Xolin (FRA) in 22:07, and Samuele Nava (ITA) in 22:08. There were 47 runners in the boys race. In the team competition, Italy scored 13 points to take gold, Turkey won the silver medal with 36 points and the English 1 team received the bronze with 38 points (same points of Bulgaria, fourth). Opening the competition on Saturday evening was a parade of nations and entertainment from a local band and majorettes from the region.