Youngster Emilia Platt bags 13 Valleys Ultra success for trailblazing Alpine Run Project

We heard all about the Alpine Run Project’s link with the 13 Valleys Ultra last week and there were some amazing results when the event took place on Saturday.

The Alpine Run Project was founded by John McAvoy, a reformed criminal and Nike-sponsored athlete, who is aiming to bring trail running to inner-city young athletes.

They’ve joined forces with the 13 Valleys Ultra – more on that here – and sent a team of runners to the 2 Valleys (22km) race.

And one of those was Emilia Platt who claimed first place in the women’s field and finished second overall – just 11 seconds behind the men’s winner Arron Larkin after a thrilling race.

A leap forward

That was not all, with the Alpine Run Project posting on their Instagram page: “We came. We raced. We conquered!⚔️

A massive congratulations to our athletes @emilia.runs (the 1st female finisher), @reuben_cowell8 (2nd male finisher) and @eleana_runs (2nd female finisher)!🏆

Each one of you showed the grit and determination required to take podium places in the amazing @13valleysultra!”

Platt’s result is a powerful testament to its success and reflecting on the project, she commented: “The initiative is all about bettering yourself as a person, and for me, I’ve gone through struggles and I’ve had confidence issues, this has pushed me to the next step and helped me take that leap to improve myself and become a better person.”

Growing appeal

The star athlete of the weekend in the 13 Valleys Ultra was Sarah Perry, who smashed the women’s course record by more than four hours, completing the gruelling 180km course in just 29 hours and 24 minutes.

On the men’s side, Caspian James also delivered a commanding performance, crossing the finish line in 25 hours and 33 minutes.

His technical ability on the tough terrain was evident and he remarked, “It was really rough underfoot but the weather suited me – it was a really technical route.”

Entries for the 5 Valleys race (55km) doubled from last year, reflecting the growing accessibility of ultra-running, with the 13 Valleys mission encouraging runners to start with the shorter distance of 2 Valleys (22km) and progressively challenge themselves with longer distances.

Beyond the race, the event also had a positive impact on the local community, raising over £5,000 for the Lake District Foundation, with 5% of each entry fee going to the Foundation.

The funds will go toward preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the Lake District, ensuring it remains a treasured landscape for future generations of runners and outdoor enthusiasts.