“I’M going to soak up every moment,” Elliot Bowker says when he thinks about taking a second chance this weekend.

The teenager was denied by injury from racing in Great Britain’s colours at the European cross country championships before Christmas.

He was posted a package that included his kit and travelled with the team to Bulgaria but, after aggravating a shin complaint while jogging on frozen ground, he was in too much pain to race.

Nor did he again during the three months that followed.

In fact Bowker only returned to competitive action at a trial earlier this month when places on a plane bound for China, where Saturday's world cross country championships takes place, were the prizes on offer.

He finished third in his age class, securing automatic selection for the junior men’s team.

“It feels different this time,” said the Sir John Deane’s College student.

“I was nervous before the Euros, and felt like I had a lot to prove.

“That put a negative on the whole experience in a way, even before the injury.

“It’s a big thing for an athlete to run for Great Britain for the first time, not just to race, but going abroad to a foreign country.

“I’m not sure you can prepare for it.

“I feel fit now, and am raring to get there and give it my best shot.

“I want to learn things I can put into practice in years to come, and to test myself against the other lads in the team as well as the guys from other countries.

“It’s not just about that though; I want to do well – to finish in the field’s top half would be great on my debut.”

The 18-year-old told the Guardian that being forced to take time out has affected the way he thinks.

It has also made him more determined.

“I’ve felt a lot of emotions,” he added.

“At first, I was frustrated. When I first tried to run again, my leg was having none of it!

“The test has been to stay positive, which isn’t easy when you’ve planned a season around making the national team.

“In the end I wanted to be stronger and fitter when I did come back so I could have a proper crack at the trials.

“Mind you, the plan wasn’t to cut it as fine as I did!”

Bowker will become the first male from Vale Royal Athletics Club to compete at the world cross country championships.

Stevie Stockton is the most recent athlete from the Knights Grange-based outfit to take part in the event, first as a junior 2007 before returning with the senior women in 2010 and again the following year.

Before her, Alex Carter ran in the junior women's event at Belfast in 1999.

Jane Groves did the same in South Africa three years earlier.

“I represent the club wherever I go,” added Bowker.

“To me, it’s a privilege; Vale Royal is the place where I’ve trained, where I’ve been able to make the most of my talent.

“I’m going to China to fly the flag for them as well.”

When he gets there, the snowy terrain of Samokov will feel some distance away.

The course at Guiyang is at altitude, while the weather is likely to be warmer.

“That’s why we’re heading out a week early, to get used to the conditions,” added Bowker.

With him though will be some reminders of home – textbooks.

Scheduled to take his A-Levels this summer ahead of going to university, the former County High School Leftwich pupil will need to find time for revision as well as running.

“I’ll try to find time to study,” he adds, unconvincingly.

BBC Sport plans to broadcast this Saturday's races, between 4am and 7.30am, both online and through its Red Button service.