Colchester and Tendring Athletic Club's Grace Greenhalgh finished ninth out of 100 runners on her international debut in Belgium.
Grace, 22, represented England in the senior ladies' 5000m cross country event against rivals from Belgium, France and Switzerland.
The Maldon-based runner endured Sunday's muddy conditions to finish as third England scorer, just two seconds behind her compatriot.
"The course was as flat as anything, but it was so muddy it felt like running over hills," said Grace.
Delighted with her performance, she is now waiting to hear if she will achieve further international selection.
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