A MAGNIFICENT effort by Kendal AC's Rosie Woodhams saw her first home of the England contingent in the International U18 Mountain Running Youth Cup held in Susa, Italy on Saturday.

The atmosphere was electric as athletes from 14 countries filled the historic village to race over the 5k 2 lap course which was fast and technical under a burning Italian sun.

The juniors raced first over the same course as the international squads, with Sophie Rylance running her legs off into bronze in the U16G, a fantastic opener for the England squad.

Chloe Rylance of Ambleside AC and Ben O'Dowd of Eden AC joined Woodhams in the England squad and three Ambleside juniors were invited to run in the junior races as the town will be hosting the event next year.

Then the main event began with a frantic downhill start under the historic Augusta Arch before winding over the cobbled streets up the switchbacks out of the village.

Woodhams was a fantastic 22nd overall with Rylance 25th with O'Down equally impressive as he finished 26th in the boys' race.

Woodhams and Rylance, who both attend Dallam School, have been selected to represent England again at the forthcoming junior home international in Wales on September 21.

This event doubles up as the British Athletics trial race for the World Championship in Argentina later in the year.