GEMMA Kersey admitted to being a “bit disappointed” with her seventh-placed finish in the junior women’s race after setting her sights on a top four placing.

The 20-year-old Basildon AC athlete had not raced since coming 15th and the third Great British athlete home in the European Cross-Country Championships at the start of December.

And she was hoping to still have that form in her legs at Parliament Hill.

“Top four was my target after how I was running before Christmas, but I suppose it was not a bad run considering I had not raced for a few months.

“I think because of that, my fitness was there, but my race fitness wasn’t. Maybe it would have been nice to have done the Southerns beforehand.

“But my aim for this winter was to peak for December at the Europeans, while other girls would have been looking to come into form now. I realise that people are peaking at different times, so I’m not going to worry about it too much. I’m just looking forward to the track season now.”

Kersey may have one more cross-country run left this season as she is still in contention to run for England at a Home Nations international next month. The top four from Saturday’s race will be selected, but there is a chance some could opt out.

“There’s always a chance that someone will want to run the English Schools, for example, so I could be called up but, if not, my main focus is on the track season.

“I’m going to Portugal for a warm weather training camp with the On Camp With Kelly programme at the end of the month and I’m really looking forward to that.”