Stacey Johnson happy to make it count

LICHFIELD'S Stacey Johnson topped the podium in Brussels at the European Cross Country Championships as Great Britain landed team gold.

The 21-year-old from Uttoxeter, who finished in the top six at last month's UK trials to book her place in Belgium, had targeted an individual top-15 finish and Johnson didn't disappoint on the international stage.

Holland's Susan Kuijken took gold in the under-23 race, while Britain's Sarah Tunstall was second home and Russia Yuliya Zarudneva took bronze.

Johnson finished a creditable 11th in 22.02 minutes - just 60 seconds behind the winner - to significantly bolster Britain's team medal chances.

The top four in each six-strong squad count towards the team title and with Tunstall taking silver, Morag MacLarty fourth, Katherine Sparkle seventh and Johnson 11th - Britain comfortably saw off nearest challengers Russia and Germany.

"I was hoping for the top 15, so that was really good," said Johnson. "I was fifth in the trials so anything better than fifth counter in the British squad was really pleasing.

"I'm really pleased we got gold. I heard someone shout silver and I was fifth at the time so I thought I've got to go for it.

"I was expecting it to be muddy but it's really firm under foot and it's a good course.

Meanwhile, there was further medal success for Staffordshire Moorlands runner Alex Derricott in the men's under-23 race, as Britain again topped the podium.

Derricott, who lives in Eaton Park in Bucknall, finished 39th overall in 26.20 minutes and was the last of the British squad to finish.

Britain's Andy Vernon took silver behind Italy's Andrea Lalli, while a fourth from Ben Lindsay, a sixth from John Beattie and a creditable seventh from Keith Gerrard ensured Britain took team gold.

"It's great to have won," said Derricott. "There was some strong performances right across the squad, which have contributed to this success."