Beth (17) topped the podium in the 3,000m at the England under-20 Championships in Bedford in a time of 9.17.59 minutes — 12 seconds inside the qualifying standard.

She will now be among those heading to Serbia for this summer's showpiece junior event.

The City of Glasgow AC runner arrived in Bedford as the number two ranked runner in the under-20 age group.

However, as one of six athletes who had already reached the qualifying time, Beth knew that she had to finish first to guarantee selection.

And after achieving her target at the expense of Louise Small and Kate Avery, the youngster will now focus on taking her domestic form into the European arena on July 23.

The former Bearsden Academy student, who has just finished her advanced highers, revealed she is delighted to have earned a place in the GB squad.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to the Europeans and I'm aiming to win a medal.

"That's my aim, but we'll see how it goes."
Beth, who is one of 15 up-and-coming athletes selected for the UK Athletics Heroes Project supported by Original Source, added, "There's a strong group of British girls at the moment and it spurs you on.

"It's really competitive so I was really nervous going into the race in Bedford, but I was over the moon and really happy to win.

"I'm going to prepare for Serbia now and just keep doing what I'm doing and training well."

The budding athlete was full of confidence before the under-20 championships having twice smashed the qualifying time in the lead-up to the event, including a personal best of 9.15.76 minutes in Loughborough.

But she admitted the sweltering heat didn't help in Bedford last week, claiming it was hotter than her trip to India for last year's Commonwealth Youth Games.

Beth has benefited from the UKA Heroes project sponsored by Original Source. The successful initiative offers financial support to talented young athletes who are working towards competing in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.