Alum to represent Team GB at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

Congratulations to alum Max Nicholls (Pilgrims, 2014) who won the ‘Up and Down’ British Mountain Running Championships last month, qualifying to represent Team GB!

On Friday 17 September, Max took part in the the ‘Uphill Only’ trial race for the World Mountain Running Championships which was held on Skiddaw in the Lake District, where he placed 4th.

He then travelled to Sedbergh in Yorkshire and competed on Sunday 19 September in the ‘Up and Down’ trial race for the World Mountain Running Championships, which was also the race for the British Mountain Running Championships. Max won this race!

These performances mean that he has qualified for Team GB and will represent them in both the Uphill and Up and Down races at the Inaugural World Mountain & Trail Running Championships in Thailand in February!

Max spoke to us about the races saying:

“I went into the weekend a little apprehensive as I hadn’t competed since March 2020 and didn’t really know what kind of form I was in. The events were both pretty tough, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well the races went and absolutely thrilled to come away as British Champion! It was quite an emotional weekend as it was my first time competing in Mountain Running since tragically losing a fellow athlete, Chris Smith, who was an important mentor and good friend. I felt inspired to be running in his memory.” 

Congratulations to Max! We wish him all the best for the World Mountain Running Championships early next year.

You can find out more about Max’s time at Ashford School, and his passion for running on our Inspiring Minds page!

Thank you to the photographers, Ben Holmes and woodentops.org.uk for allowing us to share these fantastic photos!