2013 European XC, Felix and Duarte, photo by PhotoRun.net
As I prepare to head to the technical meeting of the USATF Club Cross Country Champs in San Francisco, over 400 runners are fast asleep, two nights out from the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, held at the Hyeres, France Hippodrome. Many of the top European distance runners are contesting the championships. Alfons Juck and his team from EME News wrote the preview below:
HYERES NEWS
PREVIEWS
HYERES (FRA): Six races previews at the Hippodrome of Hyeres.
Senior men: All three medalists from Samokov 2014 there, Turkish favorites Kemboi and Kaya. Also Spanish duo Bezabeh, Lamdassem. Home side is also in shape headed by Carvalho, interesting to see miler Henrik Ingebrigtsen and also best Dutch Choukoud.
Senior women: French team very strong with Euro medalists Daunay, Calvin, former winner Duarte, but Britain has 1-2 from last edition Steel and Avery. Main question is what is the shape of Sifan Hassan? Also to mention Gebre of Spain and Turkish Aydemir. And what about former champion McCormack (formerly Britton) from Ireland.
Men U23: Belgian Kimeli looks as an obvious choice. Bulgarian Tsenov is European U23 steeple champion from Tallinn and Spanish Carlos Mayo was last year second among juniors and in summer medaled in Tallinn at 5000 m. Waiting from behind Brit Davies, German Pfeiffer, Italian Rachik and Poland´s Kulka.
Women U23: Also here good chances for Belgium with Carton. But British Muir is the fastest. And many other names to be involved like last year silver holder Mirtcheva, Italian Del Buono, Dutch 10k U23 Champ Vastenburg and obvious favorite Serbian Terzic. Turkish Emine Hatun Tuna is the title defender to have it complete.
Boys Junior: Italians Crippa and Ettaqy won already gold and bronze last year and with winners from Eskilstuna Chiappinelli (steeple) and Riva (10k) are building a strong team. Belgians are having two medalists from summer, Debognies (silver from 5k) and Dieter Kersten (bronze from 10k). German Patrick Karl is also in shape and dark horse Turkish Ramazan Barbaros.
Girls Junior: All distance winners from Eskilstuna are competing. German Reh (3k and 5 k), British Clay (1500 m) and Turkish Erol (steeple). Other 5 medalists from Sweden are also running (Vainio, Klosterhafen, Moller, Anton, Johnson).
HYERES (FRA): Thirteen International Broadcasters from across the continent will be televising the Hyères 2015 SPAR European Cross Country Championships this weekend. National Broadcasters in the host country France as well as Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and United Kingdom plan to show more than 23 hours of live or delayed coverage of the championships’ 22nd edition. European Athletics will also stream live online.
HYERES (FRA): Tom Lancashire has been named captain of the British Athletics’ team for the European Cross Country Championships on Sunday and will lead the 36-strong team. On receiving the call to confirm his selection as captain, Lancashire commented: “I was a bit shocked really; I never expected to be chosen. I’m very happy to be selected and I know I have a lot of experience competing on an international level so I will be able to share that with my teammates.”
HYERES (FRA): Out of Spanish team because of cold is Antonio Abadia set for senior men race. He will be replaced by Roberto Alaiz.
HYERES (FRA): Interesting team member of Norway for women senior race is cross country skier Kristin Stormer Steira. She competed at Olympic Games and won seven medals at World Championships in skiing.
