EMMA Gooderham from Wyre Piddle ran for Great Britain in the 100km (62 miles) World and European Championship in Tarquinia, Italy. The mother-of-two finished in 13th place in a time of eight hours and 10 minutes, the highest-ranked English athlete in the field.

Gooderham, a teacher at Bowbrook House School in Peopleton, went into the race ranked 24th in the world and was competing against 90 other athletes from 33 different countries. The Worcerstershire athlete was quickly into her stride, keeping pace with the front-runners and lying in fourth place after 45 kilometres. By 80 kilometres she was starting to struggle with the heat and particularly the hilly terrain. Gooderham was still lying in seventh position overall, but severe stomach cramps, dehydration and heat stroke started to take their toll and the last few kilometres were painfully difficult. She collapsed on the line finishing in 13th place in the world and sixth in the European Championship.

Afterwards, Gooderham said: “The conditions were particularly hard. I’ve only run this distance once before and that was in the cooler climate of Cardiff. “So many people were dropping out, all I could hear were the sound of sirens as paramedics rushed to their aid. It was rather worrying really, but I desperately wanted to finish the race.

“It’s an honour representing your country and I don’t believe in dropping out unless there is no alternative.” She also thanked Bowbrook House School for allowing her time off to take part in the race and said. “It’s always difficult fitting in training runs and races while looking after the family, working and running my own cake business. “I’m up and out running by 6am most mornings, which is not much fun now the days are so short, but the school have been fantastic and I can’t wait to talk to the children about my experiences. “I normally take the running club on a Monday, but I’m not sure I can even walk particularly well at the moment, let alone jog around a field.”

Gooderham’s next goal is to cover the same distance again next year as part of the Commonwealth Games. She added: “Those last 20 kms were hell, but I vowed to give it one more go in the Commonwealth Games next year.”