Dear John Taylor Foundation,

I would like to say a big thank you for the contribution you have made towards the cost of me competing at the Junior World Orienteering Championships last week. I have had a long season packed full of injuries and despite many hours of cross training, I unsurprisingly didn’t get the results I had originally aimed for in the individual races. However it did all come together in the relay. I ran the last leg in GB’s first team and the three of us all put good solid runs together to finish in 5th place, which is the best result ever by a GB girls relay team at JWOC! I went out in 7th place and quickly passed two runners but got overtaken by Finland who had the champion in the long distance race on last leg. Going through the spectator run-through I knew I was in 6th place (the last podium position) so the last loop was all about keeping it together. The worry of losing that position was at the back of my mind all the way to the last control but when I ran into the finish I heard I had moved up to 5th place! It was an amazing feeling to go up on the podium and to end a disappointing week on a high. On the whole it was a great trip to the beautiful Engadin valley in Switzerland and the races have provided valuable experience.

Thanks again and all the best,

Julie Emmerson

Julie – centre