Bristol & West AC's Eleanor Wimshurst has run herself into contention for a place in the Great Britain team for the World Cross Country Championships in Poland.

The 18-year-old shrugged off her recent injury problems to finish a very creditable sixth in the Under 20 women's race at the McCain Cross Challenge Final, which incorporated the world trials, in Birmingham's Cofton Park.

Britain can field a six-strong team in Poland for the championships on Sunday March 28th and with the top three gaining automatic selection – including Wimshurst's clubmate Annabel Gummow, who is based in Cornwall – Wimshurst must now wait to see whether she gains one of the other places.

"I was very pleased with my result but potentially I think I could be named as a reserve because the girl I just beat on a sprint finish, Kate Avery, has been so consistent his season," said Wimshurst.

"Also I'm sure the selectors will want to see if Charlotte Purdue is fir to run so I may have to settle for a reserve spot but that is way more than I expected before the race."

Wimshurst had lowered her expectations in Saturday's race after missing three vital weeks of training since the new year and while she made a winning comeback in the Gwent League the previous week she is clearly not yet back to the form which saw her selected for her GB debut in the European Championships before Christmas.

"To be honest I was aiming for a top 12 finish on Saturday," added Wimshurst. "And on the day I didn't feel good at all and my legs were very heavy. I just didn't get into any rhythm during the race but luckily I had a lot of people cheering me on like my coach (Nick Rose) so I knew I had to keep going.

"I was eighth for most of the way but then managed a sprint finish and got two more girls. Now I'm in with a chance of the Worlds but we will have to wait and see what the selectors say."

To complete a good day Wismhurst also led the Avon & Somerset squad to the bronze team medals with support from Hannah Alderson, who finished a very encouraging 15th, Alice Carpenter and Hannah Taunton.

The race proved to be the most successful of the day for the joint Avon & Somerset squad with an under-strength team struggling to make an impression in one of the most competitive events on the winter calendar.

Individually the only other top ten place was earned by in-form Zak Tobias.

The winner of the February Easy Runner athlete competition again showed what an improved runner he has been this winter under the guidance of Dave Bedwell with eighth place in the Under 15 boys' race. Luke Jacobs also ran solidly for 40th.

Bristol & West international Claire Hallissey was in the colours of her home county Hertfordshire on Saturday and she delivered yet another consistent performance with 10th place.

Top Avon & Somerset runner was Naomi Taschimowitz in 14th with Rebekah Randell also making the top twenty.

After his sixth place in the National Bristol & West's Tom Russell had hopes of another top ten finish but he struggled on the fast going and had to settle for 32nd with his clubmate Robbie Bugden, who was leading the Cornish team, the top local runner in 20th. Brett Halliwell had his best ever run in the Inter Counties with 32nd place in the Under 17 men's race while Naomi Speake enjoyed her best run of the winter to finish 14th in the Under 17 women's event.