Sky Scholar Jessica Judd shines in Liverpool to make European Cross Country Championships

Jessica Judd is not a fan of the mud but she battled it in style at the weekend

Jessica Judd overcame her aversion to mud to secure her spot at the European Cross Country Championships in Italy in December in dazzling style.

The 21-year-old Sky Academy Sports Scholar needed a top-four finish in the U23 category to secure her GB spot in Chia, but despite a preference for track-running, surviving freezing and slippy conditions in Liverpool was her top priority.

Judd, who recently opted to be coached by her dad again, surpassed all expectations in Sefton Park on Saturday by finishing third in her age group and a crossing the line in a stunning ninth overall over the 8k race.

"I'm over the moon to be going to the Europeans," the 1500m runner said. "I was only nine seconds off the overall winner so it was a very close race.

"I don't want to run 8k again for a long time! I'm so happy to qualify and to finally feel my fingers and toes again!"

The European cross country event will take place on December 11 in Chia, a coastal area in southern Sardinia.

It is another great sign that Judd is swiftly moving on from unhappy experiences in the build-up to the Olympics when she suffered a hamstring injury six weeks before Rio and struggled at the trials.

Judd is building up her stamina during the winter season (copyright: Adrian Royle)

With four laps on the track her usual running distance in the outdoor season, Judd admitted before the race that 8k is a huge challenge. 

But it seems her recent training outdoors is paying off and she added: "I found myself in all the right positions early on but just had a little ground to make up in the last 1k.

"Hopefully that's something I can work on throughout the rest of the cross country season.

"As for the Europeans, I'm really excited to get out there and run and even more so considering it's only 6km!"

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS....

DEC 9 -11: Elise Christie, World Cup short track speed skating in Shanghai

DEC 11: Jessica Judd, European Cross Country Championships, Italy

DEC 16 - 18: Elise Christie, World Cup short track speed skating in Gangneung, South Korea