A YEAR 11 pupil jetted off to Italy to represent England in a mountain running cup – and landed third place in the competition.

After completing her GCSEs, Ulverston Victoria High School pupil Jess Bailey travelled to Italy to represent England in the World Mountain Running Association International U18 Mountain Running Cup.

Jess placed third at the race on Sunday with a time of 18.29, competing against dozens of runners in the girls’ division of the event, which was held in Saluzzo, Italy.

The World Mountain Running Association (formerly called ICMR) was formed in 1984 with Angelo Biasi as President.

Since that time annual international competitions have been held to test the world's best mountain runners both seniors and junior (U20) runners. 

Today the WMRA also holds competitions for masters/veteran runners as well as under 18-year-old runners. 

A World Cup of Mountain Running is held as well as the Long Distance Mountain Running Championships.

Richard Butler, assistant headteacher of Ulverston Victoria High School, said the school was ‘so proud’ of Jess’ achievements in athletics.

He said: “We are so proud of Jess and all of her achievements in athletics – especially doing so well in Italy only a couple of days after her final GCSE exam in school. 

“Her dedication to her running, as well as her studies in school, shows what an amazing person she is and we look forward to hearing even greater things about her athletic achievements in the future, especially the European Championships this weekend. 

“Although we will all miss her at our Year 11 Prom, you cannot say it’s not a pretty good excuse for missing it.”

And Jess is representing Great Britain this weekend at the European Championships held in Israel.

The teen is rushing off after the Ulverston Victoria High School leavers’ assembly today to travel from Gatwick to Israel for the prestigious event.