Brilliant debut for Bateup at Three Peaks

Angela Bateup of Yass in New South Wales has had a brilliant international mountain running debut, finishing third in the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship in England on Saturday.

The women's race in the Three Peaks was won by Anna Pichtrova of the Czech Republic who completed the 39km course in 3:14:43 from UK international Angela Mudge in 3:20:53, with Bateup third in 3:25:33. 

Fifth to the first summit, Bateup picked up further places throughout the race.

Speaking after the race, Bateup was ecstatic with her performance. 

“It was beyond what I thought I might be able to do,” said the excited Weston Creek Athletics Club runner.

Fellow Yass runner Fleur Flanery was 16th in 3:56:24 and Melbourne's Isobel Bespalov 20th in 4:02:03. 

The men's race was won by Jethro Lennox of the UK in 2:53:39 from Thomas Owens of the UK in 2:54:16 and Mitja Kosovelj of Slovenia in 2:57:36.

The leading Australians were Canberra's John Winsbury, 52nd in 3:24:03, Sydney's Barry Keem, 57th in 3:24:59 and Canberra's Trevor Jacobs, 129th in 3:42:24. Jacobs was also the fifth M50 finisher. 

Jacob’s struggled with the conditions with heavy rain in the lead up to the race making the course quite boggy and treacherous in places.

Normally an accomplished downhill runner, he was passed on each of the three mountain descents by fellow runners better suited to the conditions who ran fearlessly at great speed.  

Winsbury and Keem, who were running well up in the top twenty over the first of the three mountains started a bit too hard and paid the price, fatiguing later in the race.

Full results at www.threepeaksrace.org.uk 

With thanks to John Harding (Australian Mountain Running Association)