Great Britain athletics head coach Peter Eriksson believes the future is bright after the World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz.
Gemma Steel and Jonny Taylor were the top finishers in the senior races, both finishing 31st, but Britain's junior women combined to win team bronze - ending a nine-year wait for a British medal at these Championships.
“As we said before these championships, we were aiming to do better than last time, and we did," said Eriksson.
"The junior team were much improved on two years ago, with the women picking up a medal which was phenomenal.
"The senior men were also better - 11th against a 15th place last time, so it’s all very hopeful and I’m very pleased with the result.
“That was a fantastic race by the junior girls in particular and I’m really proud of them.”
European junior cross country champion Emelia Gorecka who followed up a 15th place finish in 2011 with 16th this year, was disappointed to not to have placed higher but was overjoyed with team bronze.
“It was good, I went out there to give it my best shot and see how much I could hang on," she said.
"I had an amazing start and was right up there, but then I lost touch with them at the top loop on the first lap and just felt weak. I probably should have held my position longer than I did but I’m glad I gave it my best shot.
“I’m over the moon with the third place as a team. Everyone ran really well, but I should have definitely been further up near the top ten.
"However, to get a team medal, that’s always the aim I think and I’m really proud."
Gorecka was joined on the podium by team-mates Georgia Taylor-Brown, Amy Eloise Neale, Bobby Clay, Rebecca Weston and Alex Clay.
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