Athletics Felix delighted by his GB selection for tough Spain test

BRISTOL & West AC runner Felix McGrath is celebrating his first Great Britain vest after selection for the third combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain at the end of this month.

- Kevin FAHEY

The 31-year-old doctor secured his place in the squad for the classic up-and-down race after finishing third in the trials event in Keswick recently.

"I have won a couple of England vests but this is my first GB one, so I am delighted with that," said McGrath, pictured.

"I had a blinder in the trials on a course that really suited me and it continued a brilliant year I have had.

"It has been going so well for me, and it doesn’t get much better than making my GB debut at a World Championships."

McGrath will join the 37-strong GB squad for the event in the Spanish Pyrenees on September 25-28, with his event comprising a 15k race incorporating 800m of climbing.

Bristol & West AC teenage star runner Ewan Sparey signed off his superb summer with another sparkling performance at the finals of the UK Youth Development League.

Wearing the colours of Team Avon, comprised of athletes from B&W, Team Bath and Yate & District AC, Sparey won the U17s 800m in a time of 1min 55.60secs and with club-mate and training partner Max McKinstry taking the B race, which delivered useful maximum points.

Moreover, such was the quality of Sparey's run that it made the top 10 best performances of the meeting in fifth place. Sparey was also fifth in the 400m A race.