CRAVEN duo Euan Brennan and Joe Hudson helped England under-18s win a bronze medal at the International Mountain Running Youth Cup in Gagliano del Capo on Saturday.

Brennan, a student at Giggleswick School, was the highest-placed England runner in fifth place on his international debut.

Hudson, who attends Skipton Academy, was a creditable 14th in tough conditions.

Cumberland Fell Runners’ Joseph Dugdale was sixth after a close battle with Brennan and both athletes were given the same time. Matthew Mackay (Rossendale) was the third scorer for England in 10th with Hudson completing the team scoring.

The future looks bright for England mountain running as, apart from Dugdale, all of these athletes are at the lower end of the age group and eligible for this event again next year.

Team manager Duncan Richards said, "This young team really stepped up in challenging conditions (35 degrees) and on a technically demanding, fast course.

"They adapted very well, pacing the race superbly to take the team bronze behind Turkey and the host nation Italy."