UK Inter-Counties 2026 Race Report
By Jared Martin
On Sunday 3rd May, ten hardy athletes donned Northern Ireland kit to take on the UK
Intercounties Mountain Running Championship in Sedbergh, Cumbria.
The weekend began on Saturday 2nd May. In something resembling the plot of Avengers
Assemble, NI athletes amassed in Sedbergh, after journeys from Belfast, Wiltshire, and London,
by boat, plane, and train. After taking a look at the fast and dry course, we headed to Kendal for a
customary visit to Pete Bland Sports, before carb-loading with pizza and pasta, and withdrawing
for an early night.
Race day came along and we made the pilgrimage back to Sedbergh. There had been heavy rain
overnight, and with foreboding dark clouds, it was unclear whether the course would be slippery
from the previous night’s deluge. In the event, it was dry and untechnical, but what it lacked it
technicality, it made up for with almost 1,100m elevation gain over 14 kilometres, across three
major climbs. Adding to the challenge was a gusting headwind which battered us for the entirety
of the long, dragging climbs.
Undeterred, well over 200 athletes set off adorned in vests representing the length and breadth of
the UK. This year’s event doubled up as the Great Britain trial for the European Off Road
Championships in Kamnik, Slovenia, which meant that standards were especially high and the
racing fast and furious from the start.
At the business end, Matthew Knowles took the men’s win in 1.05.53, followed by Thomas Hilton
in 1.06.30 and Tom Wood in 1.06.49. Notably, all three podium finishers are 25 years old or under,
testament to the vitality of the UK mountain running scene. Meanwhile, in the women’s category,
Naomi Lang led the field home in 1.15.08, followed by Elle Twentyman in 1.15.39 and Scout Adkin
in 1.15.49.
As for the Northern Ireland team, Jared Martin (Ballydrain Harriers) was first finisher in 35th
position/1.15.41, followed by Jonny Scott (Mourne Runners), who put in a strong performance of
1.19.40 for 50th place. Next was Tiernan McManus (Enniskillen Running Club), who, at only 18
years of age, deserves special mention for stepping up to the team at short notice and putting in
an excellent shift (71st/1.28.13) in what was by some margin his longest race to date. Rounding
out the men’s team was Lorcan Vallely (Armagh AC) in 76th place/1.29.16 and Ronan Davison-
Kernan (BARF) in 89th place/1.31.50. These performances resulted in a team finish of 14th.
The Northern Irish women performed very well, led home by the experienced Karen Wilton (Jog
Lisburn) in 34th place/1.33.22. Next was Katie Graham (Annadale Striders), who had an excellent
senior debut to finish 40th – and 4th U23 – in a time of 1.36.17. Katie was closely followed by
Esther Dickson in 41st (1.37.01). After getting the physio’s go-ahead, Catriona Edington (Annadale
Striders) was thankfully able to race to 58th position in 1.44.51, while Sam McNeilly (Newcastle
AC) rounded off the team in 1.46.04/63rd position. Collectively, these results helped the women to
8th team position.
In sum, we saw some great individual performances, exciting debuts, team results to build on
next year, all while being reminded of the exceptional strength-in-depth that Intercounties
consistently delivers. Finally, a few words of thanks: to our drivers throughout the weekend,
Catriona’s mum and Tiernan’s dad for the support out on the course, and Ian Taylor, for braving
the howling winds to see all athletes through the summit of Winder while offering his support.
We look forward to doing it all again in 2027!
