CITY of Plymouth’s Poppy Tank has earned herself another Great Britain vest after booking her place at the European Cross Country Championships on Saturday in Liverpool.
Tank produced a strong run to finish as runner-up in the senior women’s race at the Liverpool Cross Challenge, which was doubling as the British trials.
The top four seniors knew they would book an automatic place on the plane for Portugal next month, with the two remaining spots in the team for Logoa decided by selectors.
Tank, who had finished third at the trials last year, immediately went with the early pace on Saturday and led on the final lap.
However, Cardiff’s Cari Hughes, who was runner-up last year, just pulled away over the final 400m of the muddy course to win by just three seconds. Third athlete home was Newbury’s Izzy Fry.
All three of been regulars for Great Britain at European Cross Country Championships in recent years.
Tank has previously competed at five championships, Hughes six and Fry four.
Reigning European under-23 champion Pheobe Anderson came fourth on Saturday, with Abbie Donnelly fifth.
Tavistock AC’s Charlotte Walker came 66th in the senior race, even though she was eligible to compete in the shorter junior women’s races had she wanted.
The European Cross Country Championships will take place in the Portuguese Mediterranean resort of Lagoa on December 14.