In what has become her own backyard, across terrain that she regularly covers at dawn and at dusk, Rhona Auckland sought to defend her turf yesterday but came up just short.

The reigning European cross-country champion was vanquished by one of her predecessors over the ten miles of the Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run as Jess Coulson assuredly crossed the line in Holyrood Park in 56 minutes and six seconds with the local favourite barely 50 metres behind.

Not that you could begrudge Coulson a joyous triumph, a day after she had turned 25. The Englishwoman was victorious here in 2012 but has been beset by one injury after another since. "It's been really hard," she admitted. "I think I've quit the sport completely a few times."

Nor will Auckland dwell too long on narrow defeat. Coming 19th at last month's world cross in Guiyang despite a prolonged hiatus of her own, the Banchory Stonehaven prospect has greater goals ahead. "China was really encouraging, even though it was a stiff learning curve. I did a lot of my training in the gym but it did make me stronger. I hoping it makes me more sustainable and I don't break down so easily."

Amid the drizzle in the capital, the Anglo-Scottish scrap lasted until half-way before Coulson opened up a little daylight. For both, it simply became a matter of lasting the pace. "The hills were tough and I was so glad when I reached the Mile 9 mark," the victor confirmed. "From there it was downhill and it was such a relief."

Auckland will now immerse herself in preparing for one final exam at Edinburgh University and then target greater gains on the track over 5000 and 10,000 metres. Expectations have been raised. Likewise, ambitions. "I'm hoping to get to the European Under-23s in July and all my focus will be on that," she affirmed. "But I'm looking forward to something new."

Andrew Lemoncello, freshly rebooted in the wake of his own injury travails, was forced to settle for second place behind Ethiopian Abeje Ayana in the men's race with the 19-year-old winning in 48:44 with the Scot 18 seconds behind. No biggie, the runner-up acknowledged. Still short of sharpness, his endurance will be gradually built up ahead of an autumnal return to the marathon.

"I couldn't do anything," Lemoncello said. "We'd been battling for a mile before then but he really wound up the gap. I was trying to keep the gap as small as possible but up the last hill, he just went and put a minute on me."

In the adjoining relay event, Callum and Derek Hawkins were pipped into second by Boniface Kiprop and Loitarakwai Lengurisi but the siblings are set to avoid any familial quarrel after confirming distinct objectives for the year ahead. While Derek, the elder by three years, will soon head to Colorado to ready his bid to qualify for the Olympic marathon, his 22-year-old brother will target steps forward on the track despite the lure of going long-distance.

"The marathon is still something I want." Callum said. "The debate's only really on when I want to move up. I still feel I've not achieved what I want yet on the track but there's also that question of: 'if I wait, do I waste an opportunity?' Rio will probably be too soon because I want a full track season this year, which would rule out an autumn marathon."

Susan Partridge teamed up with Helen Clitheroe to triumph in the women's relay.