Balderton athlete Maisie Mullett helps England win team gold at the Schools International Athletics Board Cross-Country Championships in Scotland

Adrenaline took over as Maisie Mullett clinched gold for England on her international cross-country debut.

The Balderton athlete ran the final 1,500m leg as England celebrated team glory in the junior mixed relay.

Competing at the Schools International Athletics Board Cross-Country Championships in Falkirk, Scotland, Mullett, 14, brought the team home well clear of runners-up Ireland.

“She just wanted to go out there and run,” said mum Louise.

“I think the adrenaline took over.

“They were already leading - every leg of the relay they pulled away further.

“In the end, they beat Ireland by about 40 seconds.

“They were a minute in front of Scotland and two minutes in front of Wales.

“Maisie ran the last leg, which was nice because all the other teams come out and support you and cheer you all on.”

Mullett, a member of Wreake & Soar Valley AC, qualified for the competition thanks to a superb performance at the English Schools Cross-Country Championships in West Sussex the previous week.

Needing to finish in the top 10 of her age group, she took ninth out of 333 girls from all over the country.

“She knew she needed a good start to be in the top pack and have a good chance of getting in the top 10,” said Louise.

“She did that and worked her way through them.

“Maisie’s just very determined.

“They got sent down a different bit at the end, round the side of the international tent, so she knew she’d qualified.

“She ran a brilliant race.

“There’s an awful lot of people from down south who do it but not many from the Midlands.”

Mullett’s gold medal takes pride of place at home, and she also gets to keep the English Schools centenary kit.

“It made it even more special that the English Schools are celebrating their 100th year,” added Louise.

“The kit has a rose but then gold leaves and a gold stem instead of green, so it’s a special kit to keep as well.”

Attention now turns to the track season, with Mullett looking to qualify for the English Schools 800m and 1500m in July.

“She’s set herself some targets,” said Louise.

“Her main aim is to compete at the English Schools.

“She’s confident, based on her times from last year, and getting the PB indoors in February.”