Georgia Malir narrowly missed out on Great Britain selection after a brave run in the second race of the British Athletics Cross Challenge series.

Six places in the team for the European Cross Country Champion- ships were up for grabs and the talented Ilkley Harrier made a brave bid to claim one of them.

The field was stacked with quality runners and was headed by Emelia Gorecka, who has been pretty much unbeatable throughout the whole of her running career.

Georgia, 17, said: “With only six places available on the GB team the race was bound to be a fight all the way to the line.

“With such a high standard of competition the plan was to sit in the front group and see how long I could hold on.

“Before long four athletes were out the front, leaving me and five other girls chasing them down.

“As I came into the finishing straight I heard the commentator announce that the fight was on for sixth place and the last automatic qualifying spot on the team!

“Unfortunately my legs couldn't carry me any faster and I crossed the line closely behind the girls I’d been running with throughout the race in 10th place, not with a GB vest but only a few seconds away!

“Oh well, I’d given it everything so maybe next year! Unsurprisingly Emelia Gorecka won the race in 14:27 and I was 10th in 15:10.”