The build up to the 15th SPAR European Cross Country Championship to be held in Belgian capital Brussels on December 14 is reaching a crescendo. The local fans got a first glimpse of the keen competition on cards at the Belgian capital, during the run-up event Lotto CrossCup meeting in Mol, Belgium this weekend.

Belgian Almensch Belete set the pace winning the women’s race in 23.04 and was closely followed by compatriot Veerle Dejaeghere in the runners-up position ahead of 2006 European U23 silver medallist Fionnualla Briton of Ireland who announced her intentions with a third place finish at 23.26. Fionnualla had finish seventh in the last edition of SPAR European Cross Country Championship in Toro Spain. There were further top Irish performances as Linda Byrne took fifth ahead of her team mate Aoife Byrne in seventh.

In the senior men’s category Belgians put in a brave performance to take six of the top 10 positions. Atelaw Yeshetela Bekele of the host nation finished second with 30.22 while Pieter Desmet finished third at 30.36. Compatriots Willem van Hoof and Krijn Van Koolwijk secured fifth and sixth positions respectively.

In the junior girls’ category, Ireland’s Sara Louise Treacy romped home at 15.03 and was followed by Natasha Doel from Great Britain who finished 15.08. Belgian Katrijn Vande Riviere finished third with a timing of 15.24.

While in the boy’s category top honours were shared by Belgian and German athletes. Jeroen D’Hoedt of Belgium bagged the top prize with 20.49 and was followed closely by Nick Goolab of Germany who finished 20.50. Belgium’s Soufiane Bouchikhi came third with 21.19.

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Lotto CrossCup