Tawney Finnishes with three medals

More than 2,500 athletes took part in the championships, with 66 nations represented including Australia, the United States and Nigeria.

An unexpected snow flurry put the opening day’s cross country event in jeopardy, with temperatures dipping to minus 16 overnight and only rising to minus five on the day of the race.

However, after a conservative start, Tawney revelled in the icy conditions, rising through the field to finish third after four testing laps.

The 52-year-old also gained a team silver after making up part of Great Britain’s W40 squad.

Tawney then went on to run in the 3,000m on day three where she finished sixth and the 1,500m on the final day, coming home in fifth.

The final event of competition was the eagerly anticipated 4 x 200m relays, which feature all the athletes who are still in a condition to run.

Tawney was part of Great Britain’s W50 squad, who were just pipped to gold by the host nation.

The result helped GB finish third in the medal table behind Finland and Germany.