If there was any remaining doubt that this has been Amy Hunt’s European Championships, it was dispelled over 10 seconds of controlled fury as the newest British sporting superstar completed an unprecedented quadruple.

When the baton was slapped into her hand on the anchor leg of the mixed 4x100m relay, the British athlete was a fraction behind Gina Lückenkemper of Germany. But then Hunt became the hunter.

In no time at all those legs began to whirr, her vast stride started to widen, and she found her wings. Within in a blink of an eye she had chased down Lückenkemper – and ran into the history books.

As Hunt crossed the line, she outstretched her arms and held four fingers to the camera. And just like that Hunt had completed the quadruple.

“It’s just a dream come true – I’ll remember this week for the rest of my life,” she said after becoming the first athlete in the 92-year history of the European Championships to win four gold medals in a single event.

Britain’s time was a European record 39.97 seconds, with Germany taking silver in 40.11 and Spain winning bronze.

To run seven races in seven days is difficult enough. To win all seven takes not only talent and guts but a hefty dose of chutzpah.

But while Hunt certainly has main-character energy she quickly wanted to ensure that her teammates Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith and Zharnel Hughes were hailed as well.

“To do it all together is incredible, especially because that was the first time we kind of did that changeover about an hour ago in warm-up,” said Hunt. “And look how smooth it was. Such professionals.

“It was a bit like when you’re queuing for a rollercoaster and you’re a ­little bit nervous and you’re seeing the drops, and then when you get off you want to do it again. So it was that adrenaline kick certainly. I loved the event.”

But Hunt wasn’t the only history maker on the night as Asher-Smith made it a record 11 European medals in total – surpassing Polish sprinter Irena Szewinska.

It was the first time the mixed 4x100m relay has taken place at these championships, which brought its own challenges. For while the ­British team had the strongest team on paper, and alternating the men and women increased the jeopardy. No wonder the Netherlands and Italy were disqualified.

“I’m gonna be completely frank with you, I was absolutely terrified,” said Asher-Smith. “When the gun was going, I was like ‘Dina, please relax relax, it’s only going to go well if you relax’. And when I gave that baton to Zharnel, I was so happy, I can’t lie. That’s exactly how I feel. Very ­unfiltered. I was just like ‘get this out of my hand – bye’.”

That message was shared by Hunt. “We don’t get to do that very often, have something new in our sport,” she said. “It’s so rudimentary just running as fast as you can from A to B. So to do something brand new was amazing.”

Asher-Smith’s achievements were also acknowledged by Azu, who said it was a privilege to compete with her.

“I’ve never actually said this but when I first started athletics, obviously 2017, Dina was all everyone was talking about,” he said. “So I watched her career, went back and watched all of her tapes and it’s an honour and a privilege to stand here and be on the same team as her.

“When I started I never thought I’d be in this position because you see these athletes and you think wow they’re incredible.

“We’re teammates now which is incredible. So it kind of goes to show anyone that if you work hard you can put yourself in these positions. It’s not unachievable.

Earlier on Sunday there was more British success in the women’s ­marathon, as Abbie Donnelly overcame bringing different-sized Hoka running shoes to Birmingham to take a surprise bronze medal.

However, her race was saved when her boyfriend Shane dashed up in the morning with the right shoe.

“I actually bought two different size shoes by accident to this race,” said Donnelly, who became the first British woman to win a European championships marathon medal.

“I tried them on last night, and I was like, ‘the right one does not feel right’”, added Donelly, whose time of 2:27.33 was just over five minutes behind Finland’s Alisa Vainio, who set a championship record.

“So then I had to call my parents and my boyfriend. It was half an hour beforehand that my boyfriend Shane put the chip on because I was so flustered.”

Britain also won the women’s team event through Donnelly, Rose ­Harvey, Louise Small and Clara Evans-­Graham, while Germany’s Amanal Petros took the men’s marathon in a championship record 2:09.11.