She was a member of last year's team placing 98th in the World Cross meeting held in Ostend, Belgium.

Only 17, Britton already has impressive credentials and extensive international experience. She burst on the scene at sixteen when she won last year's Inter Club Cross Country held in Scotstown, Co. Monaghan beating girls three years her senior.

She picked up this season where left off. In November 2001, she won the Inter County Championships held in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, was second home (74th) at the European Championships in December Thun, Switzerland, won the Celtic Games in January and defended her Inter Clubs crown in February 2002.

Pat Diskin coaches Britton and for Slí Chúlainn AC. She attends Dominican College Wicklow. Miss Britton's personal best on the track are 3.01 for a 1,000m run on grass, 4.53.0 for 1,500m at the U-17 Juvenile Track Championships in Tullamore (28/07/01) and 10.17 for 3,000m at the Schools Tailteann Games (22/06/01).

Her main interests revolve around sports - as well as running she plays hockey, camogie and sometimes badminton. When not involved in her sporting event, she's Newcastle United FC supporter.

Irish Runner.com: Coming in as the favourite in the Inter Clubs, did you approach the race differently or did you feel any pressure to win?

Fionnuala Britton: Yes, I definitely approached the race differently because last year I was aiming for a top six finish whereas this year I was obviously going to try and retain my title. I did feel some pressure as I knew I was a favourite but I also knew I'd be running against different people and every race is different and no-one could know what was going to happen on the day.

IR.com: When did you find out that the race was switched from 4k to 6k? How did this affect you mentally and tactically?

FB: I knew the race was 6000m since before Christmas, from my coach Pat Diskin, who keeps an eye on information from the AAI about the races. The distance was in the rules for the competition, which were issued by the AAI in December. I have been training for 6000m since then. I think it is a good idea to have the nationals at 6000m since the world cross country is 6000m and it is good to have at least one race at that distance before the real event.

FB: Well, I began to take running more seriously and set out my aims about a year and a half ago. I sat down with my coach Pat Diskin and set out my aims one of which was to try and make the team for the World CC. I then won my first All Irelands in Dunleer in December 2000 and went on from there.

IR.com: Do you prefer heavy conditions or would you rather race on a well-manicured fast cross-country course?

FB: I like either kind of course. I just like running, especially when the weather's good because then it is easier to warm up, cool down and socialize.

IR.com: You've had brilliant successes in cross-country yet your track times aren't at the same level. Do you prefer cross-country? Why do you think there is a disparity?

FB: Yes, I suppose I do prefer cross country but I like the track too. There isn't a track anywhere near where I live so I don't often train on the track and maybe that's why there's a disparity.

IR.com: What are your personal goals for the upcoming race in Leopardstown?

FB: I would like to improve on my position from last year.