Stickley 32nd at World U18 Mountain Running Championships in Italy

On Sunday (26-Jun) Garrett Stickley, of Winchester, competed in the World U18 Mountain Running Championships in Saluzzo, Italy.  The race was conducted over a 4.4 km course that included 155 meters of ascent and descent; with the feature climb up to a 14th century castle being traversed twice.  The races were conducted under tough weather conditions (high 70s and high humidity). Team USA was comprised four girls and four boys.  

Stickley was in the top-10 at the halfway mark but the rising heat took its toll on him and he finished 32nd  running 18:25.

I was in the back of the start and had to hurdle a few people who tumbled down.Up the first climb, I was with the front of pack but once I got to the grassy area I started feeling a little rough on the top of the first hill. When we got to the bottom of the stairs I was still thinking I was relatively in that big front pack but I fell behind on the following downhill. My feet felt like they were actually on fire on the downhills, at that point I was letting gravity take over and did my best to just move my legs but I was very tired. Into the last stretch I was all out and I left it all out there. I think I put a good effort out there.

Full recap article, photo galleries, and athlete quotes can be found here (on the American Trail Running Association website)