A WIRRAL teenager has taken part in the 15th International Under-18 Mountain Running Cup in Saluzzo, Italy.

Alex Poulston, 17, of Wirral Athletics Club, finished in 18th place and helped England to an overall placing of fifth in the boys’ race against teams from across Europe and the USA.

This year’s races took place over 4.35km with 155m of ascent and descent. They began with a short loop, 550m around the centre of Saluzzo, before a long loop of 3.8km took runners up onto the hillside to the west of the town.

The U18 Cup is seen as an opportunity to see many of the future stars of mountain running with many going on to find success in other disciplines of athletics.