Augusto on the rise and eager to boost profile in Edinburgh

Instead Eduardo, the first-choice goalkeeper for his national team since 2008, has forged a lucrative path towards Serie A, having joined Genoa last summer. His partner may enjoy less of the limelight, but having been crowned as European cross-country champion four weeks ago in her native land, she is no longer the lesser celebrity.

"Track and field isn't quite as popular as football here," laughs the 29-year-old, who will start among the favourites at next Saturday's Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country. "But the reaction from the Portuguese crowd was fantastic. Because it was live on TV, I felt that people knew who I was afterwards, asking for autographs, sending me e-mails, and getting in touch on Facebook. It was great."

Ten years ago, Augusto won the European junior crown and seemed set to inherit the throne previously held by compatriots such as Rosa Mota and Fernanda Ribeiro, both Olympic champions in their pomp. It has taken time to fulfil those expectations. On the track, in the Beijing Games, she failed to emerge from the heats of both the steeplechase and 5000 metres. However, last year, she claimed bronze in the 10,000m in the European Championships of Barcelona. Then, finally, came her personal triumph.

"I'd come closer and closer over the past three years at every Euro cross," she said. "It was an important breakthrough for me, having come second in Brussels when it was there. And it was really emotional because it was on home soil in a place I know well. I trained a lot for that and it was a big moment."

With Kenyan trio Vivian Cheruiyot, Milcah Chemos and Linet Masai - along with Scotland's Steph Twell - forming the opposition in the women's six-kilometre event in Holyrood Park, another examination looms. "I hope the snow doesn't come back," Augusto giggles. "I had it last week in Brussels and I didn't know where to put my feet."

The televised race in the capital is a natural test regardless of the conditions. Even the best have found it torturous. Yet Augusto's stock has never been higher. Inside five days last week, she won three times, including a 10k victory in Madrid on New Year's Eve. Bring it on, she says. The fears of the past have dissipated.

"The Kenyans will be strong," she declares. "But I feel good. I won last week, in Lisbon, Madrid and Madeira. I think I can challenge the Kenyans."

So too does home favourite Freya Murray after a year in which she took similar strides forward. Fifth in the Commonwealth Games, the Durham-based Scot is monitoring a troublesome Achilles which has limited her preparations for a race in which she finished eighth last year.

The 27-year-old feels she has made immeasurable progress since her last outing in the Royal parklands. Competing at London 2012 no longer seems an impossible dream. And, she hints, it may be the marathon which becomes her preferred target, having reached an age where her body can cope with 26 miles of grind and toil.

"I've not made any final decision," she states. "I'm planning to move up in distance and I definitely want to. It's just about how many levels. We're going to see how it goes. I'd like to do the Great North Run this year which will be a step up for me. I've never done anything longer than ten miles so half-marathon is the next leap."

Steve Jones, once a winner of the London Marathon, will offer counsel from his base in Colorado. Murray credits the Welshman for much of her improvement since he took over as her coach. And the pair, injury permitting, are training their sights on March's world cross in Spain.

"That's always been my aim for this winter," the Great Britain international confirms.

Double European track champion Mo Farah will lead Great Britain's team against the USA and Europe in the nine-kilometre challenge event in Edinburgh, while Olympic champions Asbel Kiprop and Brimin Kipruto head an international field in the showpiece the men's 4k.