Steph Twell proved she is ready to step up from the junior ranks with victory in the senior women's race at the opening meeting of the McCain UK Cross Challenge Series in Gateshead.

More Stories

• Twell retains junior title

The 19-year-old is targeting a third successive junior women's title at the European Cross-Country Championships in Brussels next month, before stepping up to senior level in 2009.

And at a windy Gateshead the world junior 1,500 metres gold medallist looked well equipped to make the transition, running a mature race to defeat a strong domestic field.

"I really enjoyed it," said Twell, who finished four seconds clear of Louise Damen with former European champion Hayley Yelling third.

"I thought it was a really good race. I judged it well when I moved through the field. I worked the hills and I'm really pleased."

The senior men's race was won by Holland's Michel Butter ahead of Kenyan Jean Ndayisenga and England's Andy Vernon.