Whether on the track, road or running cross-country she proved herself in all these disciplines world class.

BBC: McColgan takes final bow

Other tricks used to win included not running the right number of laps in cross-country races.

BBC: Pressure to win 'turns children into sports cheats'

Nikki Slater, a former British cross country international who was running competitively for the first time in seven years, finished runner-up in 1:17:47.

BBC: SPORT | Athletics | Mason beats Morris on Merseyside