First Athletes Announced For The Novuna GB & NI Squad For The 2026 European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships
by 22nd April 2026
UK Athletics can today announce the first athletes selected to represent the Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB & NI) team at the European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships in Ljubljana-Kamnik, Slovenia from 5-7 June.
Following victories at the Middle Distance Trail Running Championships, Ben Rothery (club:Ilkley, coach:Sarah McCormack) and Scarlet Dale (Ambleside AC, Mark Croasdale) have earned selection and will return to the world stage.
They are joined by second place Eve Pannone (Ambleside AC, David Roche) and Bertie Houghton (Hallamshire, Lewis Moses). The men’s team is further strengthened by experienced international Luke Grenfell-Shaw (Lonely Goat RC, Lewis Moses) and Alexander Chepelin (Carnethy Hill RC, Sophie Dunnett).
On the women’s side, Scottish athlete Kirsty Oldham (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers) and Emily Cowper-Coles (Rotherham Harriers/Dark Peak) will compete in a strong squad selected for the demanding trail discipline.
The trail race will take place over 52km in the mountains of Slovenia with a 2450m ascent and descent. Starting in the town of Kamnik, athletes will follow the Kamniška Bistrica River, passing the Eco Resort en route to Stahovica. The final kilometre and a half will guide runners through the town park and across a narrow bridge over the Kamniška Bistrica River to the finish line.
The Novuna GB & NI teams for the Uphill and the Up-and-Down disciplines will be announced in May.
The Novuna GB & NI trail team 2026 European Athletics Off-Road Running Championships Ljubljana-Kamnik, Slovenia:
Women
Emily Cowper-Coles (Rotherham Harriers/Dark Peak Fell Runners)
Scarlet Dale (Ambleside AC, Mark Croasdale)
Kirsty Oldham (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)
Eve Pannone (Ambleside AC, David Roche)
Men
Alexander Chepelin (Carnethy Hill RC, Sophie Dunnett)
Luke Grenfell-Shaw (Lonely Goat RC, Lewis Moses)
Bertie Houghton (Hallamshire Harriers, Lewis Moses)
Ben Rothery (Ilkley, Sarah McCormack)