Norfolk's Danni Nimmock admitted she was far from her best after she limped home 15th in the under-20 3,000m at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix. The Dereham student finished well down the field in a time of 10:04.

Norfolk's Danni Nimmock admitted she was far from her best after she limped home 15th in the under-20 3,000m at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix.

The Dereham student finished well down the field in a time of 10:04.85 minutes as the exertions of a long season finally took their toll.

But Nimmock refused to be downcast and admitted the race was the biggest of her career so far.

She said: “It is by far the largest race I have ever done and I thought the crowd was incredible.

“I am not used to having people watch you when you warm-up - it is weird but it is good.

“The race did not go as well as I wanted. It was slow and I think it was because I was so tired. It was hot but I don't think the heat affected me. I just coped with that I think it was running on tired legs.

“The track season started in April and I have been doing so many races which I thought would benefit me but it hasn't.”

Nimmock hogged the headlines as she scooped gold at the ESAA Sainsbury's Track and Field Championships two weeks ago.

Paula Radcliffe, Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis are among the past champions but Nimmock insisted she needs a break from competition before launching into her cross-country season.

“I have another race coming up but to be honest I am just going to have a rest and concentrate on cross-country track season,” she added.

“I need some time off and to get some training in for cross country.

“I really enjoy the competition and I feel I can have some real success there.”

Three Norfolk youngsters were also competing in the men's under-20 3,000m.

Mitch Goose, 18, topped the pile as he finished 11th in a time of 8:39.02 minutes, while James Robinson clocked 8:57.81 minutes and Andy Harrell came home last in just over nine minutes.

The race was won by St Helens Sutton Athletics Club's David Forrester.