Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club's rising star Grace Greenhalgh is ready to run her heart out for a lucrative sponsorship deal to help her towards her Olympic dream.

The 22-year-old Maldon-based long distance runner, who was last month selected for England, is desperate to attract a major sponsor as she strives to push her career right to the top.

Grace will splash out around £200 alone for a trip to Scotland this weekend to compete in the latest round of the prestigious Reebok Challenge Series in Glasgow.

Spotted by the national selectors at a similar event in Birmingham three months ago, she said: "If I put in a good performance at Glasgow it could lead to another international call-up.

"But the cost of travel, accomodation and food is enormous and it's rising all the time. I'm trying to save enough money for a car - I'm having to borrow my mum and dad's - but all my wages are being eaten up by my running.

"We even have to pay our own way when we represent Essex at county meets."

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