WHEN they stand together on the start-line in a likely freezing Samokov on Sunday, Elliot Bowker and Mike Vennard will feel cold – but not sentimental.

The Vale Royal Athletics Club pair make their debut in Great Britain colours at the European Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria, where they will contest the junior men’s race.

But while realising a long-held dream, they plan to stay focused.

“I could try and romanticise what I’ll be thinking but as the temperatures are going to be below zero I’ll probably just be trying to stay warm,” said Vennard.

“I don’t want to let the occasion get the better of me.

“Making the team and doing the training to get there was the hard part, so now I want to get out there and race.

“Great Britain teams have done well in recent years at the Euros, and we want to do the same. And I believe that we can.”

The 19-year-old, in the first year of a course at Boise State University in America, flew back to England on Wednesday ready to catch another flight to eastern Europe yesterday, Friday.

He was selected automatically for a 36-strong British team after finishing fourth during a trial at Liverpool last week.

“I only flew back with the intention of qualifying,” he added.

“There was no doubt in my mind I could make the team, so it was a case of repeating the hard work I’d done in training in a race.”

At 17, Bowker will be one of the youngest among the athletes on the plane to Bulgaria.

The Sir John Deane’s College student followed his clubmate over the line at Sefton Park to place fifth.

He said: “It’s been a crazy week, but a good one receiving the messages of support from everybody.

“The guys I train with at the club know I’ve worked for the past three or four months to be ready for this. It’s been my aim for the year.

“I can’t remember much about the trial; it’s a bit of a blur even now.

“It was important we were aware all the way round where we were in relation to everybody else. We’d have been gutted if we’d left it too late to make a move.”

Great Britain will be looking to replicate their performance in Belgrade a year ago, which saw them top the medal table with nine, including five gold.

For Bowker, it’s a chance to make an impression.

“I want to make the most of the experience and learn as much as I can,” he said.

“I still have another two years in this age category, so I’ll have another chance I hope.

“I won’t be nervous – I usually calm before a big race, excited even. I’m motivated to do well, and will see what happens after that.”

Sunday’s European Cross Country Championship races will be broadcast live on BBC Red Button from 0810.

The junior men’s race, over 6.25km, is scheduled to start at 0848 UK time.