Gorecka delivers the goods as Britain's women make the podium at the World Cross Country Championships
Emilia Gorecka, the 2011 European cross country junior champion, promised she would do her best, and that is exactly what she did as Great Britain's junior women team flew the European flag in style on Sunday at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz.
In the freezing conditions on a snow-filled circuit in Poland, Gorecka was the first European home in the 6km race to lead a team which broke the African domination of the day.
They were third overall in the team event, the first time since 2004 that Britain has won a medal at this World Cross Country Championships and the first time that the junior team has been on the podium.
Kenyan Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon retained the title as she won in 17:51, in a close finish, as her teammate Agnes Jebet Tirop was second in the same time with Ethiopian Alemitu Heroye third in 17:57.
Gorecka was the first non-African runner home as she finished 16th in 19:19 with fellow Briton Georgia Taylor-Brown next in 19:26. Amy Eloise Neale, 21st in 19:34 and Bobby Clay, 27th in 19:45, helped make up the four scoring athletes.
Britain's junior women ended with 81 points as Kenya took the team title with 14 points and Ethiopia were second with 23.
The next best European outside of the British women was Poland's Sofia Ennaoui, who was just in front of Clay, finishing 26th in 19:45.
In her final year as a junior, Gorecka, 19, was outpaced by the Africans in the middle stages of the race having finished 15th in this race two years ago.
"It was good, I went out there to give it my best shot and see how much I could hang on," said Gorecka, speaking to British Athletics. "I had an amazing start and was right up there, but then I lost touch with them at the top loop on the first lap and just felt weak.
"I probably should have held my position longer than I did but I am glad I gave it my best shot.
"Everyone ran really well, but I should have definitely been further up near the top 10. However, to get a team medal, that's always the aim I think and I am really proud."
Taylor-Brown added: "It's amazing to get that third team place. All the way around people were shouting that we were moving up, so I had to hold off a few of the athletes there at the end."
After two fabulous years in winning the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, Ireland's Fionnuala Britton was determined to show she can mix it with the best in the world and that is exactly what she did in the women's 8km race.
Britton, wearing a black hat to beat the cold, ensured they would know who she is as she took an early lead.
The African power, though, took over as she finished 14th, matching her best finish from 2007. Britton crossed the line in 25:08 as Kenya's Emily Chebet won in 24:24 from Ethiopian duo Hiwot Ayalew, second in 24:27, and Belaynesh Oljira, third in 24:33.
Nine behind second Britton was the next European, Sophie Duarte, of France, who was 16th in 25:17.
