DAMIAN Hall has vowed to try and make the Great Britain team again for the World Trail Championships after making his international debut in Portugal last week.

Sadly, the Corsham-based runner didn’t enjoy a dream debut as he finished 68th in Geres, completing the 85k course in a time of 10hours 59minutes 39seconds.

While the result wasn’t what he wanted, Hall enjoyed wearing his GB vest and racing on the international stage so he is determined to win selection for the 2017 World Championships in Italy next summer.

“I was never going to finish in the top 10 or 20 on my debut but I had hoped for a place in the thirties or forties,” said Hall.

“I was fed up with my result initially but I wasn’t too downbeat and got over it quickly.

“It was a brilliant experience, really exciting and I felt so proud pulling on the GB vest.

“I would love to have another go next year and make amends.”

Hall’s race plan was going to schedule as he reached the halfway mark and started to step up his pace but then he hit the buffers.

“I intended to run a stronger second half and shortly after halfway I did start catching people,” explained Hall.

“But then I started suffering really bad leg cramps and I had to ease off.

“I don’t know what cased that and I am still looking into possible reasons.

“It was hot, in the high 20s (centigrade) and maybe I got a bit dehydrated which would have had an effect but I am not sure.

“I just went back from that point and had to stop to walk as well.”

Hall is taking a rest from racing and intensive training for the rest of the month but is already mapping out his season for 2017.

“I will do the Slaughterford nine race (near Corsham) early in the new year and then look for a fast marathon in February to prepare for the World Trail trails (incorporated into the Haworth Hobble event, in Yorkshire) in February,” said Hall.

n FORMER Dauntsey’s School student Will Christofi, who is now at Oxford University, helped Bristol & West AC finish third team in the Saucony English Cross Country Relays in Mansfield.

n JAMES Wright, of Chippenham Harriers, finished third in the U17 men’s race at the second Gloucestershire Cross Country League meeting staged in Gloucester.

Clubmate Eric Dunstone was third in the U11 age group.