Nineteen-year-old Angela Speight, who has just recently returned from her voluntary work in Brazil, has been selected to represent Northern Ireland in the World Mountain Running Championships in Switzerland on 15th September.

Running in wet conditions in Rostrevor on Saturday, 18th August, Angela took third place in the Junior women Northern Ireland Championships, thus gaining selection for the Northern Ireland team.

This was a great performance from Angela, who is just returning to competition after her time in Brazil – her training out there has certainly paid off.

Her fourteen-year-old brother, James Speight, also competed in the championships. With still another five years in the U-20 category, James was the youngest in the field.

FANTASTIC

Nevertheless, this didn't stop him from putting in another fine performance over the hills.

James had a fantastic run, over the tough 7.8km course. Conditions were wet and slippy, which made the downhill parts tricky. James stormed through the finish in a magnificent 3rd place.

The selectors were impressed immediately with his fine run, and initially he was also picked to run for Northern Ireland in the World Championships.

It was only when they checked his date of birth that they realised that James would be too young to compete in the Junior U-20 age-group. So, James will have to wait another year until he is eligible to race.

James's fine performance on Saturday has highlighted his potential at mountain running, a discipline that he thoroughly enjoys.

With five years left in the U-20 category, James can look forward to many World Championships, which he will undoubtedly qualify for. Well done James.

James is the firm favourite to win the Northern Ireland U-16 Mountain Running Championships held in Scrabo, Newtownards, on Wednesday.