Callum Wilkinson’s impressive season continued at the Bedford International stadium on Sunday when he retained his English Under-20 10km title and secured automatic selection for the European Junior track and field championships in Sweden.

The Enfield & Haringey walker had already achieved the 43-minute qualifying time for next month’s championships prior to the race and only had to win to guarantee his place, but the manner of his victory in a time of 42.59 was impressive, with no cautions or red cards.

Cameron Corbishley and Guy Thomas kept the 18-year-old company until the half way point in the race and thereafter, as in previous competitions this year, he covered the second half quicker than the first.

His 5km splits were 21.33 and 21.26, which were more than half-a-minute ahead of his rivals, who in the initial struggle to stay with him collected two red cards.

Wilkinson’s victory also scored maximum points for England in a Six Nation match held in conjunction with the event.