Kris Secures Team GB & NI Selection
The weekend of 19-21 April was an eventful one for ETT athlete Kris Jones, who competed in the British Athletics trial races ahead of the European Off-Road Championships this summer. Kris was third in the Uphill Only Trial Race before triumphing on the Up and Down Course (the Inter-Counties Mountain Running Championship), thus securing his place on Team GB & NI for both disciplines.
The Uphill Only Trial Race took place up Skiddaw in the Lake District on Friday, 19th April. Kris battled his way up the climb against experienced runners Joe Steward (who was 8th in the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships Vertical Race) and Jacob Adkin. It was Kris’ first time racing this type of event, with an excellent effort.
During Uphill Only Trial Race - © Lewis Moses
At the finish of Uphill Only Trial Race - © Hugh Chatfield
Then, on the Sunday, it was time for the Inter-Counties Mountain Championships, over a distance of 16.3 km with 900m of climbing. The race took runners to the summits of Latrigg, Lonscale Fell and Skiddaw Little Man. It saw Kris battle it out with Robbie Simpson and Joe Steward, with mere seconds between them on the podium. Kris finished 11 seconds ahead of Simpson, with Steward following a further 7 seconds behind.
Finish of the Inter-Counties Mountain Championships © Woodentops, from British Athletics news story
These incredibly strong performances demonstrated excellent pre-season preparation for Kris, who started his international trail running season with a fantastic 5th place at the Transgrancanaria Marathon. He will now be representing Great Britain in the European Off-Road Running Championships alongside ETT teammate Meryl, who has also been selected.