Claire Duck to captain British team at World Cross Country Championships

The 31-year-old has had a stellar season so far, picking up silver and bronze medals at the Inter-County and English National Championships respectively.

The Leeds City athlete also retained her Northern Champion title, and will lead a team including Emily Hosker-Thornhill, Rebecca Murray and Louise Small.

She said: "I'm really honoured to have been asked to be team captain for the championships – to represent your country at a global championships is hugely exciting, so to add a team captaincy role to that is unbelievable.

"I think there is a lot to be excited about; the juniors on the team have shown a lot of promise on the domestic and European stage, and the senior women accompanying myself have all worked extremely hard to achieve this opportunity."

A further 12 runners constitute the junior team, with British Athletics' team leader Spencer Duval claiming they did not have to look far to find their captain.

"Claire is an athlete who has a wealth of experience, particularly on the cross country circuit, and was something of a natural pick for team captain," he said.

"Like many on the team, this will be her first World Cross Country championships, but I have no doubts that she will step up to the plate in leading by example and giving her all." Sportsbeat 2017