At the European Cross Country Championships held in Lagoa, Nadia Battocletti successfully defended her title in the women’s race. Competing alongside a highly talented field, Battocletti showcased her endurance and speed, finishing with a time of 24:52. In the men’s event, Thierry Ndikumwenayo from Spain captured the title in a closely contested race against world 10,000m champion Jimmy Gressier.
Battocletti Dominates Women’s Race
During the women’s race, a lead pack formed that included Battocletti, Yasemin Can from Turkey, and Britain’s Megan Keith. Battocletti began to pull away from her competitors around 18 minutes into the race. She ultimately created a substantial distance, allowing her to secure the victory comfortably.
Final Standings – Women’s Race
- Nadia Battocletti (Italy): 24:52
- Megan Keith (Britain): 25:07
- Yasemin Can (Turkey): 25:13
Thrilling Finish in Men’s Race
The men’s event proved to be highly competitive, with Ndikumwenayo and Gressier setting a fast pace early on. They established a lead over Dominic Lobalu after 5km, creating an exciting race scenario. In the final stretch, both athletes battled for the lead, but Ndikumwenayo gained the advantage as they approached the last curve.
Final Standings – Men’s Race
- Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Spain): 22:05
- Jimmy Gressier: 22:08
- Dominic Lobalu: 22:23
U20 Categories Showcase Emerging Talent
In the U20 women’s category, Innes Fitzgerald continued her impressive run by winning her third consecutive title with a time of 14:35. She finished significantly ahead of her closest competitor, Lucie Paturel from France, by 32 seconds. The U20 men’s race was tightly contested, with Belgium’s Willem Renders edging out Spain’s Oscar Gaitan by just one second.
Final Standings – U20 Races
- U20 Women: Innes Fitzgerald (14:35)
- U20 Women Runner-up: Lucie Paturel
- U20 Men: Willem Renders (13:11)
- U20 Men Runner-up: Oscar Gaitan (13:12)
Other Highlights
In the under-23 categories, Maria Forero from Spain secured victory in the U23 women’s event, while Nick Griggs from Ireland won the U23 men’s title. Italy celebrated a victory in the mixed relay, finishing ahead of Portugal and Great Britain & Northern Ireland.
The European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa not only highlighted established stars like Battocletti and Ndikumwenayo but also showcased promising young athletes making their mark in the sport.
