European Mountain Running Championships Preview

The 4 person men and women's teams representing Ireland at the EMRC on the 9th July fly out on Friday. The event takes place in the Czech Republic and the teams consists of a mixture of experience and some making their International debuts. The event takes place over an up and down course, mainly on forest trails and mountain tracks. The men's course is 3 laps 11.2k with 900m of a climb, while the women course is 2 laps, 7.7k with 600m climb. This is not the terrain that is most suited to the Irish teams but with the range of events that the runners take part in and their current training schedule they are very well prepare for the challenge. The event will also give them a chance to assess their form against many runners who they will be up against at the World Cup in Turkey later in the year. Neil Carty, Team Captain, has been representing Northern Ireland at World Cup level for over 18 years and has the ability to get it right on the big occasion. Northern Ireland individual hampion on over 6 occasions and currently leads this year. 1st Irish runner at this years Knockdhu International having shown his ability on the cross country during the winter. Des Woods in only his 3 rd year of serious running is rapidly building on his debut run for Northern Ireland at last years World Cup in New Zealand. He has been a major force in the longer mountain races this year. The 3 laps up and down course will certainly suit the strength of Des. Experience gained from participate in this years British Championship has contribute to his current form. Fiona Maxwell first year in the sport after overcoming serious health problems this "Masters" runner has take the Northern mountain running scene by storm. Currently leading the Ladies Championship and was the clear winner of the trial races in May. Making her International debut could very well be a dark horse in the race. Tricia Sloan, ladies team captain, has been representing Northern Ireland for over 12 years at International level. She was a member of last years World Cup team in New Zealand. Tricia who spent the early part of the year on the roads before getting back on the fells. Has shown over the years that she can peak for International events. Alwynne Shannon joined the mountain scene in 2000 and has already got 3 World Cup appearances under her belt. 1st Irish girl at the Knockdhu International earlier this year. She spent the early part of the year on the cross country where she has represented Northern Ireland in each of the last 3 years. Has previous national experience at rowing before turning to mountain running. Beth McClusky is the leading Female Irish Mountain runner of the lastdecade. She has represented Ireland at World Trophy & European Championships level several times as well as the Knockdhu International Fell Race. Beth has been National, Regional & Local champion many times as well as representing Ireland at World Cup level in Mountain biking. Gary Crosson current Irish Marathon Champion has in the space of 6 short months taken to the hills with some success. After a cautious start he has rapidly come to the fore as a regular race winner in part due to his relentless climbing ability. The European Mountain Running championships will be Gary's second time to represent his country having raced at Knockdhu earlier in the season. Martin Bardshaw continues his development form leading Junior International into the Senior ranks. Martin's racing this season has been somewhat curtailed by final year studies but he still performed well enough at the Knockdhu International in April and in select Munster Championship races to gain selection for this European championships.