FIONA Price ended a two-year absence from the international scene by bagging a silver medal at the EMANSC Half-Marathon in Alicante.

Price, who has been setback by illness and injuries in the past two years, finished eighth in the FV50 category to help team GB secure a silver medal overall.

Karen Rushton and Susan McDonald also starred for the home nations as Price, who only started to run at the age of 40, made a strong start to her international return.

The Westbury runner was in familiar company throughout the race as AVR club mate Clare Wood also made the trip to compete in her first international event, where she later bagged a PB.

Price said: “It was a feisty race.

“Spain were running in groups and looked out for their athletes.

“In this competition athletes wear their age group on the front and back of their race kits, so passing as many people possible was the goal.

“From four miles I knew it was going to be tough, but I loved the challenge.

“It was 24 degrees and the course had a long hill in it. There was some added pressure with Sean (Fiona’s husband) supporting around the course.

“On paper it looked like we might get a bronze, but I can’t say how elated I was to score for the team and bag a silver.

“My emotions caught me out briefly on the finish line as realised what had just happened.”