STEVIE Stockton will run for Great Britain later this month.

The Vale Royal AC runner booked her spot in the squad for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships after finishing in the top three in Saturday's trials.

"It can't get much better than this," said coach Shaun McGrath.

"I've said already this season that her potential knows no bounds, and she keeps on proving me right."

The 17-year-old, who earlier this month claimed the North of England title, makes her GB debut in Kenya on March 24. She crossed the line in third place in the U20s Women's race in the weekend's Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships in Nottingham.

But it wasn't without giving McGrath a scare.

"I heard the commentator say she had dashed out in front off the start line," he said.

"But no sooner had she done that then he reeled off a list of names of those who had overtaken her. I thought she had dropped out."

He need not have worried as Stockton, running in county colours, recovered brilliantly.

Fearless 15-year-old Charlotte Purdue (Hampshire) burst away through the heaviest of the mud at halfway and went on to seal her place in the Worlds with considerable style.

Early leader Olivia Kenney hung on for the second automatic qualifying spot, nine seconds ahead of Stockton.

And Stockton wasn't the only one to shine on Saturday.

Charlotte Roach was 16th in the same race.

Rebecca Craigie finished 15th in the U15s girls race, while Andy Clews was 21st in the same age category for boys.

Megan Huxley (31st in the U13s girls) and Hannah Weedall (34th in U17s women) also claimed creditable results.