Portuguese women shine on Cross Country Sunday – European Athletics (EAA_) – News

Portuguese women runners gave ample evidence of things to expect at the 16th SPAR European Cross Country Championships with commanding performances at a string of European Athletics Cross Country permit races on Sunday.

The outcomes at Cross de l'Acier, Leffrinckoucke, France; Lotto CrossCup van West-Vlaanderen, in Roeselare, Belgium; Corta Mato Cidade De Amora – Cross International, Amora-Seixal, Portugal – all hold relevance for when a number of top European nations announce their teams for Dublin 2009 later this week.

The SPAR European Cross Country Championships take place on Sunday 13 December.

Among the standout results, Portugal's Ana Dulce Felix emerged victorious in Roeselare, while her compatriot and 2008 European Cross Country Championships silver medallist Jessica Augusto hogged the limelight in Leffrinckoucke with a silver-medal finish.

Hat-trick for Merga

Ethiopia's Imane Merga completed a hat-trick of title wins at the Cross de l'Acier clocking 28.10 to take the men's 9.95km race. After initial promise, former European Cross Country champion Mo Farah of Great Britain could only finish fifth with a time of 28:18. Abera Chane of Ethiopia (28:12), Jacob Cheshari of Kenya (28:16) and Lelisa Desessa of Ethiopia (28:17) managed to pip Farah in a tight finish.

Abdellatif Meftah finished as the best home runner, crossing the finish line in 13th place with a time of 29:43.
 

The 5000m world champion Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya won the women's 5.75km race in 18:13 ahead of Augusto who finished in 18:14.

Ethiopia's Tizita Ashame completed the podium, finishing with a time of 18:18.

Desmet, Felix shine in Roeselare

Veteran Belgian runner Pieter Desmet produced an inspired performance on a difficult course to take third spot at the European Athletics Cross Country permit Lotto CrossCup van West-Vlaanderen, in Roeselare.

The home star finished the 9.33km race in 30.44, behind Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich (30.17) and Tasama Dame (30:30).

In the women's race Felix showcased her preparedness for Dublin with a sterling performance in the 6.43km race. Felix pulled away from the start to win the race easily by 5 seconds ahead of Denmark's Sig Möller (23.27) and local star Veerle Dejaeghere (23.50).

 "The course was very muddy, but I felt comfortable", said Felix, "I am confident for the European championships, where I want to be on the podium."

Golovkina takes podium

Kenyan runners dominated the 20th jubilee edition of Corta Mato Cidade de Amora in Amora Seixal, Portugal, although the local fans could take heart from the performance of home runners Alberto Paulo and Ricardo Ribas, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Nicholas Korir clocked 24:36 to take the 8km race, beating Kenneth Kiplimo (24:46) and Edwin Kwambai (25:07). Ribas matched the African runners step for step at the start but later faded to finish fifth with a time of 25.44. Compatriot Paulo stepped up the pace in the last kilometre to canter home in 25:14.

Milka Jerotich won the women's 6km race clocking 17.30, while Elizabeth Rumokol finished second in 17:38. Russian Olga Golovkina delivered the best European performance clocking 17:54 for third.

Results:

Cross de l'Acier – France

Men's 9.95km race:
1. Imane Merga (ETH) 28.10
2. Abera Chane (ETH) 28:12
3. Jacob Cheshari (KEN) 28:16
5. Mo Farah (GBR) 28.18

Women's 5.75km race:
1. Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 18.13
2. Jessica Augusto (POR) 18.14
3. Tizita Ashame (ETH) 18.18

Lotto CrossCup – Belgium

Men's 9.33km race:
1. Stephen Kiprotich (UGA) 30.17
2. Dame Tasama (ETH) 30.30
3. Pieter Desmet (BEL) 30.44

Women's 6.43km race:
1. Ana Dulce Felix (POR) 23.22
2. Maria Sig Möller (DEN) 23.27
3. Veerle Dejaeghere (BEL) 23.50

Corta Mato Cidade De Amora – Portugal

Men's 8km race:
1. Nicholas Korir (KEN) 24:36
2. Kenneth Kiplimo (KEN) 24:46
3. Edwin Kwambai (KEN) 25:07
4. Alberto Paulo (POR) 25.14

Women's 6km race:
1. Milka Jerotich (KEN)17.30
2. Elizabeth Rumokol (17.38
3. Olga Golovkina (RUS) 17.54

European Athletics (EAA) News