The long-distance race took place in the same forest as the relay in Heřmánky. The tough challenging long-distance course in the sandstones tested the orienteering skills of all runners. High speed, strength and endurance were needed as each athlete started individually with a 3-minute start interval to the next competitor. The highest ranked athletes started last, and the fastest time wins.
There were 59 women and 68 men competing with in the women's 21 controls on the 9.5km course with nearly 700m climb and in the men's 13.6km long with 29 controls.
Great Britain were represented in the Women's Long distance by Grace Molloy, Jo Shepherd and Megan Carter- Davies and in the Men's with Hector Haines and Ralph Street.
Grace Molloy started 15th out of the 59 competitors as the lowest ranked Brit, but produced a fantastic performance to hold the fastest time for a good amount of time before finally finishing in 15th spot. Jo Shepherd had a solid performance to finish 30th, but the story of the day was outstanding race by Megan Carter-Davies who finished in 6th position in an event which was won by Tove Alexandersson her 3rd Individual gold and 5th gold of the week.
Women’s Long distance - Results
1st Tove Alexandersson (Sweden)
2nd Natalia Gemperle (Neutral)
3rd Simona Aebersold (Swizerland)
4th Andrine Benjaminsen (Norway)
4th Lisa Risby (Sweden)
6th Megan Carter Davies (Great Britain)
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25th Grace Molloy (Great Britain)
30th Jo Shepherd (Great Britain)
In the Men's Ralph Street put in again a solid effort to finish in 18th place and Hector Haines in 33rd place with Kasper Harlem Fosser from Norway taking the World Orienteering Long distance title.
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This event rounded up the week at the World Orienteering Championships where Great Britain is returning home with a 4th in the Individual Sprint from Alice Leake, 6th in the Sprint Relay and 6th in the Individual Long by Megan Carter-Davies.
The team will now look forward to the World Orienteering Cup 2 in Sweden in August where they will hope to build on this experience after being out of International Competition for so long.