Britton running into form finishing fourth in Spain

ATHLETICS:Fionnuala Britton won't be having it all her own way when defending her European Cross Country title next month, although she's certainly rounding into form.

In the high-quality Burgos International in Spain yesterday, Britton came home fourth, with victory going to Ethiopia’s Ayalew Hiwot, ahead of Kenya’s three-time World Cross Country silver medallist, Linet Masai.

But edging out Britton for third, by six seconds, was Jessica Coulson, the emerging British talent, and indeed Britton was closely followed home by three other Europeans, with Sara Moreira from Portugal in fifth, Nadia Ejjafini from Italy sixth, and the second British runner, Hanna Walker, taking seventh.

The Irish team challenge is also building nicely, with Ava Hutchinson finishing in ninth place, with Sarah McCormack 13th and Kerry Harty 21st.

Ethiopia’s Imane Merga took the men’s race with Vincent Chepkok of Kenya second. David McCarthy was best of the Irish in 18th and Michael Mulhare 25th.

Sean Tobin from Clonmel AC finished an impressive second place in the junior men’s race.