The post graduate student arrived in the town during October, 2010, to continue her studies at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology near Penicuik.

She had already established herself as a good club runner, having won the South Yorkshire cross-country series, while studying at Sheffield.

But the giant strides towards international success began within a few months of pulling on a Moorfoots vest for the first time - and teaming up with coach Gregor Nicholson.

Over the past three years the 27-year-old has gone onto become the UK Universities champion over 5,000 metres, the Scottish 5,000 metres champion for two years in a row, as well as the Scottish 10k road race champion, Home Internationals Trail champion, and most recently the Irish Cross Country champion.

She has represented her father’s native Ireland all over the world - most notably finishing a close-up sixth at the World Mountain Running Championships in Poland last year.

Today (Friday) Sarah will set sail for Cork to complete her PHD thesis on climate change.

And as a farewell this week she held her own training session with a few of the junior Moorfoot runners at the Gytes.

Sarah told us: “I was taking my running fairly seriously when I first came to Peebles but it went up a few notches after a I met Gregor.

“Getting Gregor’s input as well as all the help from other coaches he put me in touch with has been a great benefit and my running has improved each year.

“I have competed all over the place but some of my favourite races are right here - I love running up Gypsy Glen and doing the Carnethy Hill Race.

“It’s been a really enjoyable three years. I’ve been lucky to train with Scout (Adkin) and also have the support of Gregor.” Tucked away safely in McCormack’s suitcase will be a training plan to prepare her for the forthcoming European Mountain Running Championships in France.

And she’s hoping to have a few catch-up sessions with both Nicholson and Adkin.

Sarah added: “I will definitely meet Gregor and Scout for some training in the Lake District while I’m living in Ireland. We will all stay in touch.

“I haven’t given a job much thought as I’m concentrating on my thesis, but if the opportunity arose so that I could come back to Peebles after my studies I would grab it.

“You may see me back doing the winter cross country races at some point.” Although road racing and track championships have never been any more than speed training for the American-born trail runner, her coach believes that her international future may lie on flatter ground.

And that McCormack could well be a name to look out for at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Nicholson told us: “ It has been a pleasure and also a great learning experience for me as a coach to work with a senior athlete of her calibre.

“Her significant progress over the last three and a half years through dedicated hard work and willingness to learn when already in her mid-20s is a great example to any athlete that it is never too late to improve and aim high.

“And aged 27 I still think there is more to come, not only on her favoured terrain in the hills, but also in cross-country and on the track, maybe even in the marathon as an Olympian.”