Canillo, Andorra was the venue for the 34th World Mountain Running champs hosted by the World Mountain Running Association, with representatives from 40 nations taking part.

Although one of Europes smaller countries, Andora boasts very big mountains and was perfect location for the 2018 Championships.  It was the first time in history that an uphill only World Mountain Championships had men and women running the same distances.  The British Team of 16 included Buxton AC’s Helen Thornhill running in the under 20 ladies race.  This was not the first time Helen has worn an England vest having previously been part of the England team that earned a Gold medal in the European Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia last year.

Race day saw blue skies and high temperatures.  The Junior race started into an immediate steep climb followed by a forest trail leading to the final steep kilometres – a tough, technical and challenging course.  In the junior women’s event it was a close battle amongst 3 nations for much of the course but over the final kilometre where it flattened slightly Uganda finished with 2 runners on the podium in Risper CHEBET (1st) and Betty CHEBET (3rd) while Germany’s Lisa OED split them for the silver medal.

Helen came an impressive 31st with the England junior ladies team coming in 8th position overall.  The England Junior boys team had an outstanding competition to take team Silver.