Richard Goodman was in philosophical mood after returning to top-flight international competition in Burgos, Spain.

Lining up as part of a four-strong England team at the Atapuerca International cross country race, Goodman, a student at St Mary’s Twickenham, completed the 10km course in 32nd position in 30:07, placing inside the top quarter of the field.

Commenting on a race dominated by athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Eritrea, Goodman said: “I have been training well over the last three months following a niggling ankle injury earlier in the year.

"This first race back was one to blow out the cobwebs. The course was flat and the pace was relentlessly fast, but it was great experience to race against world-class athletes like the winner, Imane Merga of Ethiopia."

Goodman’s next competitive outing will be the European cross country trials in Liverpool at the end of the month.