Valsir_Mountain_Running_World_Cup_2024_FINALresult
Scottish hill runner Scout Adkin has won the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup – by a single point!
A thrilling weekend in Chiavenna, Italy, saw the GB and NI international win on Saturday and then take third place on Sunday.
It’s a fantastic achievement by Scout who wins the Valsir World Cup title for the first time after a series played out over 12 races over a number of months in seven countries – America, Austria, Portugal, France, Italy, Switzerland and Slovenia.
The margin of victory could not have been closer with Scout on 339 points overall and second-placed Joyce Muthoni Njeru on 338 points. The Kenyan has won the last three World Cups.
A win and then third place at the finals, plus five bonus points adding for participating in the finals, added to the Scot’s tally.
Njeru, crucially, was fifth on Saturday before then winning the race on Sunday.
Ross Gollan had a superb run in the Men’s race on Sunday as he landed a fine fifth place – losing out on fourth in a ‘photo-finish’ with both athletes given the same time.
‘I’m so happy to win this,’ said Scout.
‘It has been a long season with many ups and downs – both literally in the races and figuratively.
‘Wining a World Cup title makes all the travel, the training, and tough racing worthwhile and I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way.
‘Going into the last two races the points for the podium were so tight that anything could have happened. I knew I needed two really good performances to have any chance.’
Photo courtesy of Marco Gulberti for WMRA
Scout, who represents Hoka Europe and came through the ranks at Moorfoot Runners won the Lagunc KM Verticale on Saturday before the Val Begraglia Trail race.
Many congratulations from all at scottishathletics to Scout, her family, coach Angela Mudge and all invovled in her development over the years.
The best eight results over the series count for each athlete and thus Sunday’s race was still vital in the overall outcome.
Njeru took control and could not be caught as she took the win in 1.47.45. Jeruto Kisang never gave up the chase and held off Adkin in an exciting sprint finish, taking second in 1.48.51, with Adkin third in 1.48.58.
Scottish athlete Naomi Lang had a very strong race and finished fourth in 1.50.07.
Naomi finished 12th in the overall World Cup table.
Andy Douglas was 19th overall in the Men’s table and Ross Gollan was at 24th.
Photos courtesy of Marco Gulberti for WMRA
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Tags:
Angela Mudge, hill running, mountain running, Scout Adkin, WMRA