Double gold for France and Italy in Youths
The ninth staging of the World Mountain Running Association International Youth Cup was held in Arco near Lake Garda in Italy, A record 17 countries participated with some countries entering two teams. Elsa Racasan (FRA) led France to a narrow team victory over Bulgaria with Russia in bronze (their leading second team runner won a silver medal and would have given them team gold). The Irish girls team finished twelfth with Aoife Mulroy (Swinford) having a solid run in 25th position. Tullamore Harriers athletes Emily Grennan and Cara Todd finished closely together in 43rd and 45th.
In the boys race Davide Magnini led Italy to a comfortable victory with England snatching team bronze medals on countback. Ireland finished ninth team with Tadgh McGinty (Swinford) having his best performance on the hills to-date to finish in 18th. He was closely followed by clubmate William Hynes in 18th and Ruadhan O’Grada (DSD), who was making his international debut, in 41st.
Girls Individual (3,980m / 220m climb)
1. Elsa Racasan (FRA) 19:43; 2. Tatiana Ivanaeva (RUS 2) 19:55; 3. Burcu Subatan (TUR) 20:02; 25. Aoife Mulroy (Swinford) 21:57; 43. Emily Grennan (Tullamore Harriers) 24:36; 45. Cara Todd (Tullamore Harriers) 25:10
Boys Individual (4,810m / 280m climb)
1. Davide Magnini (ITA) 21:29; 2. Pierre Xolin (FRA) 22:07; 3. Samuele Nava (ITA) 22:08; 18. Tadgh McGinty (Swinford) 23:42; 25. William Hynes (Swinford) 24:07; 41. Ruadhan O’Grada (DSD) 25:35
Girls Team (18 teams)
1. France (1,6,23) 30; 2. Bulgaria (5,13,15) 33; 3. Russia 1 (4,10,21) 35; 4. Italy (7,16,18) 41; 5. Czech Republic (9,14,22) 45; 6. Russia 2 (2,20,28) 50; 12. Ireland (25,43,45) 113
Boys Team (18 teams)
1. Italy (1,3,9) 13; 2. Turkey (8,12,16) 36; 3. England 1 (7,14,17) 38; 4. Bulgaria (5,13,20) 38; 5. Poland (4,11,29) 44; 6. France (2,22,23) 47; 9. Ireland (18,25,41) 84
