CROSS-COUNTRY runner Sarah Waldron struck gold for Great Britain in her first major championship appearance.

She helped the GB women’s under-23 team to top spot at Sunday’s European Cross Country Championships in Portugal.

Sarah, from Pudleston, was the fourth GB athlete in her team to finish and her podium place has been a watershed moment.

“Since going to the USA, I feel I can now challenge a lot of the girls in the UK,” said Sarah, 22, who is studying a masters degree at the University of New Mexico. “I have always been someone who has lacked a bit of belief and now, finally, I have realised that I can run with the top girls in the UK.

“It has been a fairly long few months and I have been doing a lot of flying but I am happy to have won a European gold medal.”

Sarah finished 21st overall in the women’s under-23 final and clinched her GB place last month after coming 14th at the British championships.

Her parents, Peter and Cathy, and brother Tom travelled to Portugal to watch the race.

Cathy said: “We are just so proud - Sarah’s been doing this since she was 10 years old when I used to stand there with a stopwatch.”

Sarah, who moved to the county six years ago, has had a superb 12 months.

This time last year she was struggling with injuries.

“I was so down at the Liverpool race 12 months ago after having a stress fracture and numerous injuries,” she said. “I finished around 50th and I made up my mind then to work hard for 12 months and go back.”

Sarah took up a USA scholarship in August and has been running for the high-flying Lobos team.

She is in her final year at under-23 level and her next major competition is on her birthday in February in Seattle.

“UK Athletics are not big fans of athletes going to the USA but running for Great Britain is my number one aim,”

she said.

“I want to be the best in GB - I am not happy with being fourth.”

Sarah is actually sitting a university exam today (Thursday) and plans to return to the USA in early January.

“The best thing about being in the USA is the support, the great atmosphere and the weather,” she said.

“The things I miss most about the UK are Cadbury’s chocolate and not seeing my family and friends.”