An 18-strong British team has been selected for September’s World Mountain Running Championships (Uphill) in Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria. The senior women’s quartet includes international gold medallists on the mountain running scene with newly crowned European (up and down) champion Emily Collinge, and world long distance mountain running champion Annie Conway contributing to one of the most formidable squads heading to the championships.

The pair will be joined by trials winner Hatti Archer (coach: Bud Baldaro), earning her first GB call-up since competing in the 3000m steeplechase at the European Championships in 2012 as well as seasoned international, Bingley’s Victoria Wilkinson who finished second in the trials.

Leading the senior men’s team, trials champion Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett) continues to show his prowess over both the up & down and uphill disciplines. Fourth place at the European Championships in June, he will be targeting an improvement to his 21st place finish at the world uphill championships from 2014. Five other athletes join the Scot including International Snowden race winner Chris Smith (Philip O’Dell).

Bronze medallist at this year’s European Championships, Heidi Davies spearheads the junior women’s team after triumphing at the trials at Skiddaw in the Lake District. She will be joined in the British fold by Elizabeth Apsley and two debutants, Bronwen Jenkinson and Emily Nicholson.

The junior men’s quartet is headed by trials victor Euan Gillham (Robert Hawkins), a relative newcomer to the mountain running environment, who has previously earned a GB cap at the Great Edinburgh X-Country in 2015. 

Team Leader Sarah Rowell commented: “After a successful year so far for our British mountain runners, we have selected another strong contingent including a number of experienced athletes and once again, a number of debutants.

“With Emily (Collinge) and Annie (Conway), we have two athletes who have won gold medals on the big stage this year. Hopefully their results will inspire the team to further encouraging results in Bulgaria.”