Rebekah Randell may be a slow-burner, but this runner's fuse is well and truly lit and is promising to illuminate the running landscape in the next 12 months.

It seems Randell has always had talent to burn but circumstances have conspired against her realising her potential – until now.

The 32-year-old single mum is at last putting some order into her running and, while juggling the demands of three-year-old son Luca with her job as a solicitor and also fitting in her training requires military-style organisation, Randell is starting to see results.

Last weekend she gave Bristol & West a superb, if unexpected, start at the English Cross Country Relays, finishing fifth on the opening stage to set the scene for Kate Goodhead and Claire Hallissey to bring the team home in second place.

It was Randell's first national medal, to add to her silver medal at the Midland Counties Road Relays in September, but more importantly it showed she can mix it with the best women in the country and was an enormous boost to her self confidence.

"I have only been training for four months and have thrown myself into racing," said Randell, who lives in Weston-super-Mare.

"I was really pleased with my runs in the relays and I know there is a lot more to come. I just love racing and my attitude is to get out there and do it!"

Aged 32, that is surely the right approach. Opportunities may have come and gone for Randell but there is no reason why she cannot enjoy a lot of success in the years to come, years in which many endurance runners hit their peak.

"When I was younger I used to go training with Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers at Watford and I was coached by George Harrison," added Randell. "I never used to take it that seriously and hardly ever raced, and I was also having to work part-time to make ends meet while I studied law. He once told me I should give up law and become a professional athlete but I didn't do that because I wondered how on earth I would earn a living. Sometimes I regret that."

But the intervening years have made Randell realise how much she loves the sport, and there can be no doubting her determination to succeed and make a name for herself.

"I have just entered the trials for the European Championships and while I will probably get my ass whipped I will learn how far off I am from the top girls in the country," added Randell. "I love running and hopefully there will be some exciting times ahead for me."

Don't be surprised if Randell unleashes some red-hot performances in the months ahead.