Jet-setting Denise Park is still catching her breath after a dream week in America.

The Clitheroe physiotherapist took part in the world's largest relay race - the 197-mile long Nike Hood to Coast Relay at Oregon.

And she also met one of her sporting heroes, Paula Radcliffe.

Denise, who will be away again this weekend treating athletes at the World Mountain Running Trophy in Switzerland, was invited by sponsors Nike in recognition of her work with athletes.

She was one of 12 medical professionals invited to America, including physiotherapists, podiatrists, doctors and sports scientists.

She spent two days at Nike headquarters in Portland, meeting some of the most influential people in the company.

"It was fascinating" said Denise. "I was very impressed with the Nike work ethics and their commitment to developing footwear and clothing to 'serve the runner'.

"I was fortunate to be able to spend time with Mr Mario Lafortune, the Director of Nike Science and Research Lab, who has to put his seal of approval on everything that Nike produce.

"I was due to be with him for 45 minutes, but three hours later we were still discussing the development and design of running shoes, and I was told confidentially that an idea I discussed will be developed and incorporated into running shoes in the near future."

Denise hadn't run seriously before receiving the invitation, but has been training hard since May with guidance from John Roche of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers.

It was a good job she had, because there were three internationals in her team who were serious about racing.

Their medical team called 'Drugs Don't Work' were split into two minibuses of six runners and a driver and she had to spend 30 hours in it! They each had to run three legs over the 30 hour period - Denise's were 7.5 miles at dusk, 3.5 miles at 3am on an unlit highway with a torch, and to finish a 4.5 mile leg gradually uphill all the way.

"My aim was to run the whole distance and I did it!" she said proudly.

"It was tough going and 30 hours in a minibus with five others who had run a total of 100 miles and without washing facilities is an experience you wouldn't want to know about.

"We needed a few 'running' repairs on the way and I never thought I would be treating people on a tarpaulin on a car park floor in the middle of Portland at 4am!"

They completed their race ahead of schedule, in 26 hours, to be 100th out of a 1000 teams.

Her next outing will be the Great North Run, again at the invitation of Nike, a race Paula Radcliffe is also scheduled to run in.

The afternoon before the race in Oregon, Denise was lucky to meet and chat with Radcliffe, an athlete she greatly admires.

Radcliffe is still injured, and was unable to be out at the World Championships in Osaka, so came to wish them well for the race.

She is on the lookout for a new physiotherapist and Denise has been told her name will be suggested.