Scottish Success at British Middle Distance Championships

Last weekend saw the first national orienteering championships since early 2020 with the British Middle Distance Championships being hosted by Lakeland Orienteering Club at Summerhouse Knott in the South Lakes on Saturday. The weekend was nominated as selection races for juniors and with the Northern Championships also being held in the area the following day, there was a very strong Scottish contingent that made the journey south.

The terrain was tough and highly technical and on a hot day the best results were achieved by those that managed to hold their heads and execute good technique. There were many top class Scottish results with 26 British Champs medals being won by Scottish runners. Special congratulations to Graham Gristwood (FVO) on retaining the men’s open title from 2019 and to Hollie Orr (LOC – formerly CLYDE) on winning the women’s title. Other age class golds were won by Rachel Brown (W18, ESOC), Eilidh Campbell (W20, MAROC), James Hammond (M16, FVO), Matthew Gooch (M20, MAROC), Will Hensman (M40, FVO), Roger Goddard (M45, FVO) and Dave Coustick (M75, FVO).

Full results for the British Middle Distance Championships are available here

The following day saw Northern Championship long distance races being held on the adjacent area at High Dam. Once again the terrain was tough and conditions were hot. Matthew Gooch and Eilidh Campbell consolidated their claims for selection for the Junior World Champs later in the year by completing the double in the junior classes. Many other young Scottish runners also performed excellently to put themselves in the frame for British international and summer camp selections.

Full results for the Northern Championships are available here

Special thanks to Lakeland Orienteering Club and Manchester and District Orienteering Club for safely and successfully hosting such a big event; it was much appreciated by all the competitors.