Poppy Tank celebrates becoming British champion. (Photo by Nathan Stirk – British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images )

CITY of Plymouth’s Poppy Tank said it felt ‘amazing’ to become a British champion.

Tank ran a personal best time of 10:02.77 to claim victory in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase event at the UK Athletics Championships in Manchester on Saturday night.

She led from almost the gun and secured victory by nearly two-and-a-half seconds in only her third competitive race over the barriers. Her first steeplechase outing had only come on May 27.

Poppy Tank celebrates winning the women’s 3,000m steeplechase title (Photo by Nathan Stirk – British Athletics via Getty Images )

“Honestly it feels amazing to be a British champion,” said Tank after her victory in raining conditions at Sportscity.

“To win this in my third steeplechase event ­- I’m delighted.

“I knew I could do it, but I was nervous with the rain as I have never raced in these conditions before.

“I obviously would have liked to have run faster and clock a sub-10, but with the conditions we faced, I can’t complain.

“This year is all about my development, and next year I’m going to have some big targets to hit.”

It was Tank’s first British title. Taunton’s Alice Murray-Gourlay claimed silver behind her, with Croydon’s Stevie Lawrence.

Erme Valley Harriers’ Will Battershill will compete in the men’s steeplechase on Sunday, while City of Plymouth’s David King will go in the 110m hurdles and club colleague Ethan Glyde is due to compete in the high jump.