Scout and Jacob Adkin are a brother-and-sister trail running duo from New Zealand who both competed at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai. Their shared appearance at the same World Championship is a rare and heartwarming story in elite sport, reflecting both the close family bonds and the adventurous spirit that characterise New Zealand's trail running community. Scout raced in the Trail Short women's event, while Jacob competed in the Trail Short men's field.
Growing up in New Zealand's dramatic landscape of volcanic mountains, dense bush and coastal trails, the Adkin siblings developed their running in an environment that is as challenging and varied as anywhere on earth. New Zealand's trail running scene, though smaller than the European circuit, is passionate and produces athletes with exceptional technical ability and a deep connection to wilderness racing. Both Scout and Jacob emerged from this scene as athletes capable of competing at the highest international level.
Scout Adkin has established herself as one of New Zealand's leading women's trail runners, combining raw endurance with the technical confidence needed for alpine racing. Her journey to the WMTRC 2023 involved years of competing in New Zealand trail races, building the fitness and race craft required to step up to world championship level. Jacob, meanwhile, has carved out his own path in the men's trail running scene, with a racing style marked by aggressive climbing and smart pacing on longer efforts. The siblings frequently train together when schedules align, sharing routes, strategies and the relentless drive that comes from growing up in a running family.
Travelling from New Zealand to the Austrian Alps for a World Championship is no small undertaking. The time zone shift, the altitude difference and the unfamiliar terrain all present challenges that European-based athletes do not face. Yet the Adkins approached the WMTRC 2023 with the resilience and adaptability that are hallmarks of Kiwi athletes abroad. Arriving in Innsbruck weeks before the event, they used the time to acclimatise, recce the courses and absorb the unique atmosphere of a mountain running World Championship held in the heart of the Alps.
Scout Adkin lined up for the Trail Short women's race at the WMTRC 2023, a demanding event covering approximately 45 kilometres with around 2,500 metres of elevation gain through the alpine terrain above Innsbruck and into the Stubai Valley. The field was stacked with talent from France, Spain, the United Kingdom and across Europe, making every position hard-earned. For a New Zealand athlete racing far from home, the challenge was compounded by the unfamiliarity of European alpine terrain, which differs significantly from the trails she knows best.
Scout's race demonstrated the grit and determination that characterise New Zealand athletes on the international stage. Competing against specialists who train daily in the Alps, she acquitted herself with distinction, representing her country with pride in front of the large crowds that gathered along the course.
Jacob Adkin took on the Trail Short men's event, racing across the same demanding Tyrolean terrain as his sister but in what is one of the most competitive fields in trail running. The men's Trail Short at a World Championship attracts the very best short-format trail runners from around the globe, from French specialists to Scandinavian mountain athletes to East African runners who have transitioned to trails.
Jacob's performance reflected the growing strength of New Zealand trail running on the world stage. While the nation's team may lack the depth of European powerhouses, individual New Zealand athletes have repeatedly shown they can compete with the best when the terrain gets tough and the racing gets honest. His result at the WMTRC 2023 contributed to raising the profile of New Zealand trail running internationally.
| Athlete | Discipline | Placement | Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scout Adkin | Trail Short (Women) | Team NZL | ~45 km / 2,500 m elev. |
| Jacob Adkin | Trail Short (Men) | Team NZL | ~45 km / 2,500 m elev. |
Scout and Jacob Adkin are a brother-and-sister trail running duo from New Zealand. Both are elite trail runners who represented New Zealand at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai. Scout competed in the Trail Short women's race and Jacob in the Trail Short men's event.
Scout Adkin competed in the Trail Short women's race and Jacob Adkin in the Trail Short men's race at the WMTRC 2023. Both events covered approximately 45 kilometres with around 2,500 metres of elevation gain through the alpine terrain of the Tyrolean Alps around Innsbruck and the Stubai Valley.
It is relatively uncommon for siblings to both qualify for and compete at the same World Championship in trail running. The WMTRC 2023 featured several such pairings, including the Adkins from New Zealand and the Innerhofer father-son duo from Austria. These family connections add a unique human dimension to the championship and highlight how trail running can be a shared family passion.
New Zealand has a small but passionate trail running community that punches above its weight internationally. The country's dramatic mountain terrain provides an excellent training environment, and Kiwi athletes are known for their toughness and adaptability. While New Zealand cannot match the squad depth of European nations like France or Spain, individual New Zealand athletes regularly produce standout performances at international trail events.
New Zealand athletes face significant logistical challenges when competing in Europe, including a roughly 24-hour journey, a time zone shift of up to 12 hours, and the need to acclimatise to different terrain and altitude. The cost of travel and accommodation also represents a substantial commitment. The Adkins arrived in Austria well before the WMTRC 2023 to give themselves time to adjust and familiarise themselves with the courses.
The Trail Short is a trail running race covering approximately 40 to 50 kilometres with significant elevation change. It is shorter than the Trail Long but still demands a high level of endurance, technical trail running ability and tactical race management. At the WMTRC 2023, the course ran through alpine terrain above Innsbruck with a mix of rocky paths, forest trails and exposed ridgeline sections.
Yes, the WMTRC 2023 featured several family connections among its athlete field. Besides the Adkin siblings from New Zealand, the championship also saw Hans-Peter and Manuel Innerhofer, a father-son duo from South Tyrol, and the famous Dematteis twins from Italy. These family stories were one of the many compelling narratives of the championship.
Complete results for all disciplines at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai are available on the results page. This includes individual placings, times and team classifications for the Vertical Race, Mountain Classic, Trail Short, Trail Long and Stubai Ultratrail.