Cross country remains a UK target

Edwards' run was the best by British junior for 14 years

UK Athletics (UKA) says the World Cross Country Championships are still important to Britain, despite poor results in Japan at the weekend.

The championships are not one of the main global targets identified by UK Sport, but UKA Performance director Dave Collins says they are of value.

"It is a fantastic way to help youngsters come through," he said.

One of those youngsters was Sian Edwards, 17, who finished 10th in the 6km junior women's competition.

Bekele takes cross country double

The Kettering runner was the first non-African athlete over the line in Fukuoka.

It was the best result for a British junior since 1992 when Paula Radcliffe took gold and Jenny Clague finished fourth.

The junior team and the senior women's 8km racers had the best performances of the European teams in Japan, finishing fifth and seventh.

But the men struggled in the both the senior and junior races, coming 14th, 16th and 13th overall.

Collins confirmed that the UK would field a strong side at next year's championships in Mombassa.