The Kilbarchan AAC runner, hailing from Elderslie, had hoped to continue his fine run of form which had seen him bag gold at the British Athletics Cross Challenge and Trials in Liverpool only a fortnight ago.

Representing Team GB, Hawkins ran in the men’s under-23 category and looked good for a medal, alongside teammate’s Jonathan Hay and Marc Scott.

However the trio were to be undone by a strong Russian outfit who completed a clean sweep of the medals in the Bulgarian countryside.

Hawkins said: “I’m disappointed — I was going for a medal. I didn’t have a hamstring injury but I suffered hamstring problems in the last week which probably affected me a little bit at the end.” The Elderslie runner eventually finished in fifth, behind winner Ilgizar Safiulin who finished in a time of 25.31, Igor Maksimov 25.33, Vladimir Nikitin 25.37 — and teammate Hay who finished three seconds ahead of Hawkins’ 25.49.

Hawkins added: “I tried to make it as hard as possible by trying to take the kick out of people and unfortunately it didn’t quite work but I went for it and that is all you can do.

“I didn’t want to hit the front as early as I did but the guys at the front were slowing it down and no one was taking it on so I thought I’d try and make it hard.

“I was just trying to put in the same performance as I did in Liverpool — I didn’t feel any pressure from winning there. At the end of the day, I did my best and that is all you can do.” Meanwhile Team GB managed to leave the Southeast with nine medals in tow.

Gemma Steel saw off Kate Avery at the line as the side completed a remarkable one-two in the senior women’s race, whilst Kate Auckland took gold in the under-23s category.

Elsewhere Jessica Judd took silver in the junior woman’s race.