2021 Home Countries Youth International

It is with great sadness that we have to accept that the 2021 International U18 Mountain Running Cup will not be taking place in Ambleside as hoped this year. Its cancellation after two and a half years and countless hours of voluntary work by the Local Organising Committee is so disappointing.

But the continuation of the pandemic, the high infection rates in many European countries and the logistical challenges of staging an International event for U18 athletes in the context of the pandemic have made the staging of the event untenable.  The unpredictability and uncertainty made planning almost impossible and fundamentally health has to come first.

However, the situation in the UK means that it is possible to host a Home Countries U18 International for athletes in the UK and Ireland that had been training for this event.

With that in mind, we intend to host a Home Countries Youth International to give young athletes the chance to earn an International vest and compete in on a great mountain course against the best U18 athletes in the Country.

As before, the race will take place on Saturday 24 July with the trial for the event on 19 June over the International course in Ambleside.

We will also go ahead with the Wansfell Uphill only race the night before on Friday 23 July.

The race will also be open to any Country who still wish to send a team, however, that Country must take responsibility for the Covid Travel requirements in place at the time and also the costs and organisation of accommodation for their team.

If interested, please contact me duncan@intouchltd.co.uk for more information.

Finally, I would like to thank all our sponsors, Ambleside A.C, the people of Ambleside and of course our organising committee for sharing a dream and almost bringing it to life. So much work, energy, generosity, enthusiasm and creativity, we almost made it. It took a global pandemic to stop us.

But we will have a race…

Best Wishes
Duncan