After matching an all-time British best in the World Championships men’s marathon Callum Hawkins is relishing the prospect of facing a tougher domestic challenge when Mo Farah steps in distance.

The 25-year-old Elderslie athlete who exploded into the public consciousness with his gutsy run at last year’s Olympics in Rio, was frustrated at just missing out on a medal in London after matching the fourth placed finish achieved by Peter Whitehead in 1995,

“To actually see it (the bronze medal finisher crossing the line) as I was finishing was a bit tough, but I gave it my all and I couldn’t really ask for anything more, I couldn’t give any more,” he said.

“I was wanting a medal. I knew I could be close to one so I had that in mind, but there were some quality athletes today. Usually the big guys don’t quite turn up, but they all turned up today.”

He had be troubled build-up to the event with illness and injury to contend with.

“Just before Payton Jordan (a major event held in the US in May) I woke up on the day with my bad back,” Hawkins explained.

“I could barely move which caused my hamstring to tighten up, so I had to pull out.

“Then I ended up on antibiotics twice… two lots. I just finished that before I did the half in the Czech Republic (in June).

“Antibiotics and 27 degrees don’t really go together well, but I had to get out and race.

“Unfortunately I had to drop out because I was very close to heat stroke but the next week I came out cracked one of my best ever sessions so I knew I was fit.”

He consequently knew that he had to be satisfied with his performance, mixing it with the leaders early on, but opting to hold back when the medallists made their decisive break, before coming back strongly in the closing stages of the race run round four 10 kilometre circuits, starting and finishing at Tower Bridge.

“I was maybe a bit too active at the start but I didn’t think so, I felt I was holding my own pace and going at a steady pace and they were surging and slowing down and everything,” he said.

“You never know. It’s a bit too early to say so I’ll need to look back at it. I’m pleased with fourth but I wanted a medal.

“I maybe left it a bit late, maybe should have covered the big move at halfway a bit more. I felt at the time it would have destroyed me if I did though,” said Hawkins.

“At the time they went I didn’t even think I could finish it was taking that much effort to even hold it, but on the last lap I just got another spur, felt strong and went from strength to strength.

“If I’d gone with the move I probably wouldn’t have finished. It was huge.”

He lapped up the atmosphere too, saying: “The last 5K I couldn’t even hear my own footsteps. It was pretty ridiculous out there… brilliant.”

And he knows British marathon running is set to attract significantly more attention next year when Mo Farah, biggest name in the domestic game, joins him in the ultimate championship endurance event.

“Hopefully he’ll be seeing my back,” Hawkins laughed, before adding: “No, he’s a quality athlete and hopefully it’ll be a good head to head.

“He’s a big name in the world who has brought a lot of attention to British running which is good, but hopefully there’s a few coming up behind him on the wings who will fill in these places.”