STEVIE Stockton will run for Great Britain again next month over a distance she raced only for the first time at the weekend.

The Crewe-born athlete made an impact though, winning the women’s 5,000m trial in the annual England Athletics U23s Championship at Bedford.

“I was really nervous because I’ve never run a 5km race before,” she said afterwards.

“People have told me that I would do well, but I wasn’t sure whether I’d reach 3km and just fall over!”

Instead the 21-year-old headed a high-class field in 16:10.63 to make the grade for the European Athletics U23s Championships in Czech Republic.

It will be a third appearance in her country’s colours this year.

“I decided to just concentrate on myself and felt comfortable staying with the other girls in the group because they know what they’re doing,” said Stockton.

“Then I took it on a bit – even though I didn’t want to – because I felt good and started to believe I could finish first in a good time.

“It was hard, but I’m glad I did.”

By the bell the Vale Royal Athletics Club star had pulled away, holding off Emma Pallant (Aldershot Farnham & District) and Hannah Walker (Birchfield Harriers) to win the gold medal.

It concluded a remarkable seven days for Stockton after making her senior track debut for Great Britain at the SPAR European Team Championships in Stockholm.

She finished seventh in the women’s 3,000m final in a personal best 9:00.67, a time that ranks her eighth in the continent this year.

She added: “Running the 3,000m a week ago certainly helped me on Sunday.

“I consider myself to be a 1,500m specialist – that’s what I train for during the week – but I wouldn’t rule out competing over the longer distances in the future.”

The European Athletics U23s Championships take place in Ostrava from July 14.