ADAM Hickey has revealed his frustration despite winning a bronze medal at the European Cross-Country Championships.

The 27-year-old was part of the Great Britain team that finished third at the championships in Hyeres, France.

But the Southend AC athlete was left feeling downbeat at the end after injury ruined his chances of another high finish in the individual standings.

Just like at last year’s event, Hickey had worked his way through the field and was in the top 20 and among the leading Brits with two kilometres to go.

In Bulgaria 12 months ago, Hickey pushed on to finish a magnificent ninth place, but this time round an injury he hoped would stay away struck and he faded back to finish in 42nd position.

“It was frustrating,” said Hickey who has been struggling with a groin injury for most of the cross-country season.

“I had worked my way through the field like I did last year, but once the adrenaline had started to wear off I started to feel the pain.

“Then it was just a case of just trying to hang on and finish as well as I could.”

Hickey finished the fifth Brit but although he did not contribute to the team’s scoring tally – the positions of the top four athletes from each country count towards the final places – he can console himself in the knowledge that he succeeded in pushing his team-mates on.

“We knew it was going to be tight between us and the Italians for the bronze medal,” Hickey said. “I was just trying to stay with the guys for as long as possible.

“And hopefully them seeing me come from behind pushed a few of them on again.

“I did everything I could. I just couldn’t push any harder.

“It got to the point where people were moving faster than me and I just had to hang on to those who were passing me for as long as possible.

“It was frustrating but I gave everything until the very end and that’s all I could do.”

The injury has forced Hickey to take some time off running this week and he’s had to turn down the opportunity to run for Great Britain at the Edinburgh International in January as he looks to get fit again.

“I’ve had a lot of treatment this week and it’s starting to feel better already,” he said.

“It certainly won’t put an end to my cross-country season. There is still the national in February and other big races, so hopefully a short break might actually benefit me.

“It’s just been a frustrating end to the year. My main aim was to get to the European Championships again, which I did. It’s just a shame I picked up an injury when I did.

“I think I would have been pushing towards a top 10 finish again on Sunday but I couldn’t have done anymore.”