Fionnuala Britton finding form in Edinburgh

Fionnuala Britton had an encouraging second place at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country in challenging conditions at Holyrood Park on Saturday.

Britton bounced back from her disappointment at the European Cross Country Championships last month and the Kilcoole athlete finished seven seconds behind British winner Emelia Gorecka (21:36) over the 6km course.

“I suppose it’s better than my last few but you always want to win,” said Britton. “It was a good race — it was tough, it was mucky, it was absolutely freezing.”

Rain, wind and cold played their part in a tough day of competition but Britton helped Team Europe to a win in the women’s event and was also ably backed up by Sara Treacy (Dunboyne) in 16th and Michelle Finn (Leevale) in 22nd.

Britton is still unsure of her immediate plans but is happy with the start of 2015. “It’s a nice way to start the season,” she said, although she is unclear about running indoors and cross country. “I really don’t know,” she admitted. “After this weekend I’m going to have to plan again.”

Meanwhile former Olympian Jim Hogan passed away aged 81 at University Hospital Limerick on Saturday. The Irish running legend led the Olympic marathon in Tokyo in 1964 ahead of eventual winner Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia before collapsing on the roadside with only a few miles remaining.

Hogan transferred to Great Britain due to poor treatment by Irish athletics and his crowning glory was winning the European marathon in 1966. The Croom native also famously set a 3 mile world record on the track after a full day’s work. His funeral is today.