VICTORIA Wilkinson answered a late call up to compete for Great Britain in the World Mountain Running Championships and was rewarded with a team gold medal.

The 37-year-old Hebden runner was drafted into the winning senior ladies team just 48 hours before the event when Hattie Archer was ruled out by injury.

Wilkinson said: "I was first reserve after finishing fifth in the trial and I was away on a training break when I got the call.

"It meant I had to change my plans but I was happy to do so and get down to Betws-y-Coed to join up with the rest of the Great Britain squad."

Wilkinson, who had never previously won a medal at the world championships, produced a typically determined run to finish 15th in a race won by Uganda's Stella Chesang.

Great Britain's Emmie Collinge, Emma Clayton and Sarah Tunstall were second, third and fourth respectively.

"I am really proud to have won a gold medal after all this time," said Wilkinson, who joked: "At 37 I could have competed in the Masters event which was run the previous weekend.

"It was also special to be part of a successful weekend for the whole Great Britain squad. All of our teams won medals and performed well."