GEMMA Holloway refused to be beaten by an energy-sapping chest infection and ran to an impressive seventh place at the English Cross-Country Championships over London’s gruelling Parliament Hill course.

The 15-year-old Thurrock Harrier had been on a course of antibiotics in the days leading up to Saturday’s race after coming down with the infection.

But Holloway proved she is a “real fighter” according to proud mum Julie and flew around the course’s famous hills to finish well inside the top 10 in her first ever national championships.

“We didn’t know how ill she was until afterwards when she told us how sore her legs were and how much her stomach was churning,” said Julie. “She was really quite ill on the train back to Grays.

“She said she felt like dropping out the whole way round the course, but I knew she wouldn’t. She’s brave and this showed she’s a real fighter. We are all so proud of her.”

Julie said the course and it’s many ups and downs suited her daughter, a pupil at William Edwards School, who loves nothing more than a tough course.

“She loves hills,” Julie said. “And the long stretch uphill at the start at Parliament Hill didn’t phase her at all. She was right up at the front going up there and had lots of support all the way round.”

Given that Holloway was feeling so under the weather and still managed to finish in seventh place, mum Julie says expectations are high going into the final big two events of the cross-country season: The UK Intercounties Championships in Birmingham next week and the English Schools Championships a week after.

“We are so looking forward to the Intercounties next week,” said Julie. “ Hopefully Gemma will be back to full fitness and can target a better finishing position.”