Borderers Jack Foley and Seb Darlow help Scotland to sixth-placed finish at international youth mountain-running cup

Borderers Jack Foley and Seb Darlow helped Scotland to a sixth-placed finish at this year’s World Mountain-Running Association international cup for under-18s in Italy on Sunday.

Moorfoot Runners’ Foley completed the the 4.6km course at Puglia, featuring 191m of ascent, in 22:08, placing 24th, as his team took on 16 other countries in temperatures exceeding 30C.

From left, Ben Hodson, Billy Sutherland, Jack Foley and Seb Darlow representing Scotland at 2026’s international youth mountain-running cup in Italy on Sunday (Photo: Phil Mestecky)

placeholder image — From left, Ben Hodson, Billy Sutherland, Jack Foley and Seb Darlow representing Scotland at 2026’s international youth mountain-running cup in Italy on Sunday (Photo: Phil Mestecky)

Darlow, a late call-up, clocked 22:40 to make it home five places behind him.

The Scots’ first finisher was Stewartry Athletics Club’s Ben Hodson, 20th in 21:48, and their other teammate, Ross County Athletics Club’s Billy Sutherland, was 22nd in 22:01.

They were the first home countries boys’ team in terms of team scores, though England’s Jake Ireland was the first Briton to finish, placing sixth in 20:36.

First place went to the USA’s Jackson Ferguson with a time of 20:13.

Next year’s cup will will be held in Szczyrk in Poland.