European Cross Country champion Fionnuala Britton began the defence of her European title with a fourth-place finish in Burgos, Spain.
The Wicklow woman was using the race as a tester for the 19th Spar European Cross Country Championships which take place in Budapest on December 9th.
Britton will be happy with her performance, finishing approximately 30 seconds behind Kenya’s Ayalew Hiwot and World Cross Bronze medallist Linet Masai who fell in the last 800 meters.
Team GB’s up & coming Jessica Coulson held off Britton in a race to the line, to take 3rd position.
Ava Hutchinson and Sarah McCormack also ran well to place in the top 15 further strengthening Irish hopes of a team medal at the up coming European championships.