Sonia O'Sullivan capped her return to competitive athletics, after a seven month absence, with third place in the Great Manchester Run this afternoon.
O'Sullivan was placed behind the Ethiopian duo of Berhane Adere and Derartu Tulu in the 10 km race despite leading for the majority of the race.
The Cork woman has not raced competitively since the New York Marathon nearly seven months ago.
Adere the, eventual winner, was too strong for her compatriot in the closing stages and won in a time of 31 minutes and 50 seconds.
O'Sullivan, winner in the north west city two years ago when the event was for women only, said: "It was tough out there today, and when you are making a comeback - particularly after an Achilles injury - whether it will stand up does worry you.
The Olympic 5000 metres silver medallist, added: "I came into the race with an open mind not knowing what to expect.
"Even when fully fit, it is always a relief to get your first race of the year out of the way.
"Obviously I now know I made the right decision by having a long rest when the injury first cropped up before Christmas."
O'Sullivan, turning out again on home Irish soil in next weekend's Dublin Mini Marathon, said: "To run such a quick time has also told me my progress has been more than I could have hoped for, since I began training properly again in the United States."
Fifth-placed Charlotte Dale, Kent's European junior cross country champion who surprised organisers six weeks ago when she asked if she could have a place in the race, produced a performance which suggests there is still a lot more to come from her.
