Runner Ben is third for England

The teacher at Brooksbank School, Elland has had a stellar last 18 months but his performance for England in Wales was a stand-out moment.

It demonstrated that very hard work, dedication, focus and natural talent are a cocktail that when mixed correctly, can take you, quite literally to the highest peaks.

Yorkshire champion Mounsey wore the red and white vest with trepidation and pride alongside his England team mates, the garlanded Rob Hope and Tom Adams.

The field was littered with the finest fell and mountain runners from all over Europe.

The race, which covers 10 miles and more than 3,000ft of ascent, is a speedy test over tricky loose rock terrain, and for Mounsey to come third behind two star Italians was an outstanding result.

He was whisker shy of second placed Massimo Farcoz and only a minute or so behind winner Emanule Manzi.

No mention of Mounsey is complete without his pocket sized training buddy, Northern Ireland’s Gavin Mulholland, who also ran like a demon to finish 11th.

Mounsey and Mulholland both race on the roads for Stainland Lions.

Not far behind in 21st was Jason Williams, another Calder runner who is having an eye-catching season.

Calder’s rejuvenated lady captain Helen Buchan continued her resurgence with an excellent run to come 308th overall.