The chaos at Heathrow Airport last weekend was not enough to stop Maryse Haynes from realising a dream as she beat the delays to take her place on the podium for Team GB at the European Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria.

Her flight to Bulgaria was grounded for three hours as problems with air traffic control computers paralysed UK airports.

The former Wycombe High pupil was among thousands of passengers left stranded on the ground at Heathrow.

But the chaotic preparation did not stop Haynes from realising her dream as she beat the problems and then helped Team GB onto the podium.

Competing against the best young runners from across the continent Haynes, finished 15th in the under-23 section to help GB finish second in the team event.

And standing on the podium made all the stress of getting there worthwhile.

“On the Friday there were problems with the air space above Heathrow so our flight was delayed for three hours. It wasn’t the best travelling ever but we got there in the end.”

Having finally made it to Samakov, the Downley resident embraced the experience and ranks the achievement as the biggest of her career to date.

She said: “We were expected to get a medal because we were a strong team, but nonetheless it was a really good experience. It was shown live on TV and it was all properly done on a stage which was cool. It’s the biggest thing I’ve done so far.

“It’s nice that you can have something to show what you did and it shows that it’s all wortwhile going out there and it’s nice also to show that you’ve earned your place on the team.”

Her route to earning a spot on the Team GB squad was a little more straightforward than her foray to Europe, however.

She said: “There was a trial race two weeks before in Liverpool, and because I came third in my age group that meant I automatically got selected.

“I was really excited. It’s always been an aim of mine to make the team but, obviously, until you do you can’t get too carried away. I was really pleased.

“It’s something that you always aspire to but you never really think you can get there so it was really, really cool.”

Haynes, who is studying at Birmingham University, has previously represented her country and is experienced on the county circuit, but she wants more Team GB appearances.

She said: “In the New Year there are a few more competitions, nothing as big, but things like national championships and university championships.

“There’s also the European Track Championships in the summer which is another opportunity to try and make the under-23 GB team. That’s the next big aim.”