This weekend was the first opportunity for junior fell runners to compete for a chance of an England vest.  Coiners Fell Race was the trial race for the International Youth Cup in Lanzada, Italy on 16th June.  The first 3 junior men and 3 junior women (born within the years 2001/2002 would gain automatic selection with the remaining team member in each to be decided by the selectors.  It was a scorching hot day which made the testing routes each with a tough uphill start, all the more challenging. The runners took in large chunks of open moorland before a long fast downhill descent with a bit of everything – moor, tracks, woodland and fast grassy slopes.

Taking part in the selection race were Buxton’s Ellie Wilson, Sam Soles and Jacob Buckley.  Ellie is in good form having come 3rd lady in the Buxworth 5 road race earlier this week.  She is young in the selection age category and put in a strong run to finish 4th under 17 girl, 7th in the selection age group.  Sam Soles, also running in the under 17 category also came in 4th overall, finishing 12th in the trail race.  Both youngsters are rising stars on the fell circuit, showing themselves well on their way to becoming potential selection prospects of the future.  Completing the Buxton team running in the under 19 category Jacob Buckley worked hard to finish 11th – 16th in the trial race.

In the under 15 girls race Buxton’s Amy Whelan, who is going from strength to strength on the fells, had a great run to finish 3rd.

Photo: Ellie Wilson at Coiners