JESSICA Judd started her 2013 from where she left off the previous year with a fine run at the Great Edinburgh Cross-Country international.

Judd finished second in the junior women’s race to help her Great Britain team to an emphatic victory over their counterparts from Europe and the USA.

The Canvey teenager was runner-up behind the overwhelming favourite, her team-mate Emelia Gorecka, finishing the 4km course in 13m 58s.

Judd said afterwards: “I’m really happy with it. I’m slightly disappointed I didn’t win because I always go to every race to win. “I tried to go with the break and on the third kilometre I was starting to close down and felt really good. But the last 1km I had to hold on to my position. That was when I knew I wasn’t going to win, but I was happy with the silver.”

It was a good way for the King John School pupil to celebrate her 18th birthday which was on Monday.

The British team filled the top six places in an amazing show of strength.

It was a tougher day for Southend AC’s Adam Hickey who was making his first Great Britain appearance for nearly five years in the senior men’s race.

Hickey, 24, finished the fast 8km course in 28th place, the eighth member of the GB team to cross the line.

The Europeans and Americans dominated the race with Hickey and a clutch of the GB team all finishing closely, but some way down on race winner Bobby Mack of the USA.

Hickey is due to run in the latest McCain Cross-Country challenge in Northern Ireland this weekend.