Barnet’s Molly Patch won the girls’ 13-14 race at the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games Lord Mayor’s Mile on Saturday.

The event was a precursor to the annual Lord Mayor’s Parade, one of the world’s oldest and biggest annual processions.

The race covers a mile route in the heart of the city’s financial district in front of the Lord Mayor, various other dignitaries and thousands of spectators.

Patch covered the distance in 5 minutes and 34 seconds.

Molly said: “It’s amazing, really unexpected. It was really weird winning. I wasn’t sure whether to smile or crumple to the floor? I thought there was going to be some insanely brilliant runner to come along and beat me, but I was really happy to win it. This year and last year my running has got a lot better, I’ve really started improving every day."

The teenager runs for Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, based at Barnet Copthall.