Angus crowned British U18 inter counties fell running champion

Angus crowned British U18 inter counties fell running champion

RGS student Angus Millar helped power Yorkshire to victory when he struck gold at the prestigious British Inter-Counties Fell Running championships at Edale, Derbyshire.

The 16-year-old was overjoyed to claim the 2026 British Under-18 Inter-Counties Fell Running title, having been selected as one of four to represent his county at the event.

Angus’s triumph, combined with a second-place finish from Yorkshire team-mate Harry Bebb, secured the title for their county.

Celebrating their team’s victory ahead of Lancashire and Cumbria capped off an exceptional day for Yorkshire runners.

The event, organised by Dark Peak Fell Runners, formed part of the Junior English Championships - England’s national fell running championship series.

“It was brilliant,” said Angus, whose ambition is to compete for England. “I was very pleased and pleasantly surprised.”

The demanding 7.6km course featured 402 metres of ascent and tested competitors across some of the Peak District’s toughest terrain.

Starting below The Nab, runners faced a steep two-kilometre climb before traversing the edge of Kinder Plateau, climbing to Grindslow Knoll at 601 metres, and then tackling a fast, rocky descent back into Edale.

Angus completed the course in 37 minutes and 55 seconds, improving significantly on his performance last year when he finished third in 39 minutes and 29 seconds on a slightly shorter route.

“There were 35 other male runners in the race,” he said. “The climb up The Nab suited me because the steep parts of races are my strengths. The flatter section was difficult, but I managed to stay with Harry Bebb just ahead of me.

“Then I made up a few places on the descent, some of which were by jumping gates that others were going around. Descents have always been my best sections of races.”

Angus was initially unaware that he had won the Under-18 title because Under-18 and Under-20 athletes raced together.

After crossing the finish line, he was waiting for his father to complete the senior race when another parent informed him of his success.

“I didn’t believe him, but he was adamant,” said Angus. “Then someone else’s mum showed me the live results online, which showed me in second place, which was confusing because I had definitely finished ahead of the boy who allegedly won. The timekeepers sorted it out and then I knew I had won.”

The celebrations were almost overshadowed by an ice cream.

“Unfortunately, I missed the main medal presentation because I was in the queue for an ice cream,” he said.

However, Angus still received two individual medals, a team medal and a £25 voucher for Pete Bland Sports.

His latest success continues an impressive rise in the sport. Angus finished fifth overall in last year’s Fell Runners Association Junior English Championships and has already won several British Open Fell Runners Association races this season, including Kettlewell and Coniston Gullies.

BOFRA races are shorter and steeper than FRA events, and Angus has steadily climbed the rankings, finishing third in the series in 2024 and second in 2025.

Other notable achievements include winning the Junior Crag Race at Kilnsey Show in Wharfedale and finishing third in the English Schools Fell Running Championships at Giggleswick in 2024.

Despite his growing list of accolades, Angus keeps his training relatively simple.

“I probably spend roughly two or three hours running each week, but this varies a lot because the races often leave me unable to run for a few days because they are so brutal,” he said. “I often cycle instead because it’s kinder on the legs.”

During his GCSE studies, he has balanced his academic work with an intensive training and racing schedule.

“I train with Ripon Runners on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by myself on other days, and I race almost every weekend,” he said. “I think I’ve managed to juggle my running and revising pretty well.”

Boarding school life has also helped him maintain his routine.

“It has allowed me to go to Ripon Runners every week, first as a junior and then more recently with the adult club,” he said. “It’s also been good because I can head out for a run easily and then get straight back to work or boarding activities.”

Outside running, Angus enjoys cycling, walking, gardening and breeding ducks. He also represents the school in swimming, rugby and cross-country.

Looking ahead, he hopes to win this year’s BOFRA Under-17 championship, continue competing in senior races as an Under-23 athlete next year and eventually earn a place on the England fell running team.

He has also entered the famous Three Peaks Cyclocross race in September and is awaiting confirmation of his place.

Academically, Angus plans to return to sixth form to study biology, chemistry, physics and possibly mathematics, with the ambition of studying veterinary medicine at university.