Amy-Eloise Markovc followed in the footsteps of Laura Muir to win Britain’s first gold medal at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland.
Muir, winner of the 3,000m at the last two Euros in Belgrade and Glasgow, declined to defend her title in Torun as she prepares for this summer’s Olympics.
Into her place stepped Stockport-born Markovc who marked her first championship by racing to victory in a personal best time of 8:46.43.
The 25-year-old, who is married to a Slovenian international rower and based in the US, finished ahead of team mate Verity Ockenden, who took bronze in 8:46.60.
“One thing I talked about with my coach was trusting my instincts,” said Markovc. “I felt strong and felt I needed to kick a bit earlier. I had to trust my instincts that I could hold it.
“I’m thrilled to cross the line in first. It’s difficult coming into your first championship and being nervous because you haven’t competed on the big stage before, but I wanted to take every opportunity.”
Norwegian middle-distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the men's 1500 metres but only after a major scare as he was disqualified and then reinstated on appeal.
Earlier, Olympic heptathlon champion Nafi Thiam sent out a warning to Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Britain’s absent world champion, by cruising to gold in the pentathlon.
