Obstacle Mud Runner - issue 6

ForEliteAtheletes to FunRunners 01732 452404 27 RACE : JUNIORS The team at Cliff Lakes have really supported me and helped me to learn the correct techniques for different obstacles as well as allowing me to train in the adult sessions. They have spent extra time with me and really pushed me.   Before I knew it the time to travel to the European Championships had arrived, I was so excited but also very nervous. Luckily as well as my Mum I was also going to be travelling with Rich Riley and Eddie Whetton from Cliff Lakes and I knew when I arrived at the Championships that Claire Rosser (Team Bigfoot Captain), Coach Tony and Kirsten were also going to be there, I couldn’t wait to get there. I ran the Short Course on the Friday and although I lost my band, I loved every minute of it, especially the Low Rig. I ran the majority of the course with Cara, the eventual winner of my category, although she kept her band. Cara is 2 years older than me. I had a great day but the best day ever came on the Sunday when someone dropped out of the relay event and I was asked if I wanted to step in and fill the space, I ran the speed leg in a team with Stuart Neail and Stu Nevin against the adults which was amazing. Later in the day I ran the open wave with Iris Vanhoenacker. Iris injured herself in a car accident 9 years ago and is still on crutches but she is so strong and completed all of the obstacles, to complete the course with her was an honour. My whole European Championship experience was one I will never forget, the support and encouragement I received from every member of Team UK and competitors from Spain, Belgium, Poland and Germany was incredible. WE MAY BE YOUNG but we would love the opportunity to compete in more events in the UK and show everyone what the Juniors are made of The team at Cliff Lakes have really supported me... ... they have spent extra time with me and REALLY PUSHED ME! Competing in the Netherlands has inspired me to want to achieve more in OCR. I have been invited over to train at SpartainFit in the Netherlands and to compete at Runmageddon in Poland, both huge opportunities. In the meantime, my forthcoming events are: Ram Run, Total Warrior, Mud7 and The Suffering. Next year I will be focusing on events which will allow me to qualify for the World Championships 2018 as I will be 14 in February and obviously I would love to go back to the European Championships. One thing I would like Race Directors in the UK to consider, is to provide the 13 year olds an opportunity to qualify for the Euros and Worlds, to align their events alongside the qualification criteria for the International competitions...we may be young but we would love the opportunity to compete in more events in the UK and show everyone what the Juniors are made of. Thank you to everyone who made my Euros experience one of the best weekends of my life so far. I want to progress in OCR as my aim is to achieve as many podium finishes as possible in 2018, by the time I am at the top end of my category I want to compete against the best in the world and show them I can do it!. I’m Evie, aged 13 years. I love OCR!!