Hatti Dean has vowed to give it her best shot in this weekend’s World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain.

Dean, who is competing for Great Britain in her fourth championships, will lead the team’s challenge against the best runners in the world on Saturday.

The 29-year-old former Radley runner boasts bags of experience at international level, and aims to lead the team challenge.

She said: “I’m excited by the challenge. It’s always an honour to represent your country.

“It will be a tough challenge to get into the medals, but we do have a strong team.

“There’s some excellent new talent in the squad, and three of our team are in their first championships.”

Dean secured her selection after finishing second at the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships in Birmingham last week.

But she said it was touch-and-go as to whether she booked her place in the team.

“I was not certain of selection until I finished second last week,” she said.

“Nothing is ever definite, you still have to race well on the day, and fortunately, I did.

“I think if I’d not come in the top six, I would not have made the team, as there are a lot of good athletes around now.”

Dean, who finished 49th for Britain in her last world championships in Jordan in 2009 said: “Each year, you want to do better than you did last time.

“Obviously, there is so much strong competition, particularly from the African nations, so I just hope to perform to the best of my abilities and look to be one of the first Europeans home.

“I’m in good shape at the moment. Touch wood, I’ve had no injuries, and the whole season has gone really well.

“I hope I’m going to peak for the worlds this weekend, but we’re at the end of a really long season.”

Joining Dean in the British team are Julia Bleasdale, Charlotte Purdue, Gemma Steel, Stevie Stockton and Naomi Taschimowitz.

The race, over eight kilometres, takes place on Sunday.