JESS Judd says competing in the 5000m at the World Championships is a ‘bonus race’ in what has been a breakthrough season for her at the distance.

And the Blackburn Harrier admitted she was surprised as anyone to book her place on the plane to Doha after running the perfect race at the British trials.

Judd earned her place in the GB team after finishing second behind Eilish McColgan at the British Championships in August – an event that doubled as trials for the World Championships.

“The trials were perfect for me,” she said. “I think that was the best I have run in quite a long time.

“This is just a bonus race so I can just give whatever I have, come off and be proud of my season whatever and just keep building up towards Tokyo.

The 24-year-old has competed mainly at 800m and 1500m but after a chat with her dad and coach Mick Judd, she decided to make the step up in distance and has enjoyed notably success – including winning gold at the World University Championships in Naples.

“This year we wanted to step up to 5k, so me and my dad sat down and I said I preferred the 5k training and I wanted to see how I did at that,” she told the British Athletics website.

“The World Universities was a great start. We went out there without any expectations so to win was amazing and that set up my season nicely.

“It has been going from strength to strength.”

While Judd believes she is under no pressure in Doha, she is determined to give her all.

“I think a lot of people didn’t think I was going to get here, to be honest, I didn’t expect to get here so there is no pressure,” she said. “I know my dad isn’t putting any pressure on me.

“So we are just going to go there, really enjoy it and take as much learning experience as I can.

“I think I am still quite new at this event so the more I can learn the better. But obviously I would like to try and get close to my PB and see what happens.

“I just want to know that I have given everything and know that when I step off (the track) I know I could not have done anymore. I think that is how I felt at the British trials.

“Tactically I got it spot on – there are very few times I can say that.”