<h2>European Running Championships</h2>
<p><strong>European Athletics is delighted to announce that the first ever edition of the European Running Championships will take place in Leuven and Brussels on 12-13 April 2025, with the masses joining the elites for a festival of running on the streets of Belgium.</strong></p>
<p>The inaugural edition will see road races take centre stage at a standalone European Championships, featuring three races over two days: 10K, half marathon and marathon. Europe&rsquo;s top distance runners will race alongside the masses, bringing the stars of the sport and their fans closer than ever before.</p>
<p>The marathon course will run from Brussels to Leuven, starting in the heart of the Belgian capital before reaching the finish in the historic heart of Leuven.</p>
<p>The European marathon champion had previously been crowned at the European Championships, but now the classic distance, and its finest exponents, will take the spotlight at their very own festival of running, with medals awarded for individual and team honours at all three distances. Mass-race participants can also compete for medals in brand-new &lsquo;country ranking&rsquo; competition.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The European Running Championships symbolises my vision of a sport that really is for everyone,&rdquo; said European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov. &ldquo;Young and old, male and female, fast and slow, big and small, elite and amateur will all compete together and simultaneously in mass marathon, half marathon and 10km races, with global and national ranking places on offer.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Karamarinov added: &ldquo;For too long, athletics has been seen as a rarefied activity, the preserve of only the super-fit and the super-gifted. All children, and a growing number of adults across our continent, take part in athletics, in the form of recreational running, every day. Yet many of them do not think of themselves as athletes. I am determined to bridge this gap.&rdquo;</p>
<p>European Athletics CEO Christian Milz said: "This will be a unique championships as every runner will be an athlete and every athlete can be a champion. It gives everyone in our sport the chance to experience that unique championships feeling. Welcome to the European Running Championships.&rdquo;</p>
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<p><strong>Italy&rsquo;s Nadia Battocletti continued her rise on the global distance scene with a commanding run in Tokyo on Saturday (3), storming to a new European 5km record of 14:32.</strong></p>
<p>It clipped seven seconds from Diane van Es&rsquo; record set in Monaco in February. Held on a warm, still evening in the Japanese capital, the Tokyo Speed Race delivered on its promise: a fast course with sweeping bends, a star-studded international field, and an electric atmosphere.</p>
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<p>Battocletti, 25, seized the moment with a fearless start and never looked back.&nbsp;The Italian settled quickly into the record-pace, staying locked onto the wavelight guidance system and gliding effortlessly through the early kilometers.</p>
<p>With the 14:39 European record already in her sights, Battocletti pushed through the midway mark easily on target, showing both grit and poise as she held her form in the final stages.</p>
<p>She placed second to Kenya&rsquo;s Caroline Nyaga who won in 14:19. Meanwhile in 7th, Sarah Lahti equalled Meraf Bahta&rsquo;s Swedish record of 15:04 from 2021.</p>
<h2>"It means a lot"</h2>
<p>Having added the European 10km title in Brussels-Leuven in April to the European 10,000m and 5000m and European cross country titles - plus Olympic 10,000m silver - she won last year, Battocletti is in the shape of her life.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Afterwards, she said: &ldquo;It means a lot. I&rsquo;m so happy because I just broke two records, and to be here in Tokyo is really amazing I&rsquo;m so excited because Tokyo made my dreams come true.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Woldu sets French record in women's 10km</h2>
<p>France's European bronze medallist Etienne Daguinos took a tumble in the men's 10km, scuppering any hopes of a Eruoepan record.&nbsp; But in the women's race, his international teammate Mekdes Woldu took 14 seconds off the national record held by Liv Westphal since 2019, setting a new best time of 31.01.</p>
<p><strong>Alissa Szreter-Kelly for European Athletics</strong></p>

Battocletti sets new European 5km record in Tokyo

<p><strong>The first ever European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven on 12-13 April introduced a new country ranking competition, enabling recreational runners score for their country alongside elite athletes.</strong></p>
<p>The new concept meant the top 25 male and female runners from each country in the 10km, half marathon and marathon races would have their times counting towards a combined team time as part of the international competition.</p>
<p>It meant that mass participants could be part of the same team as some of Europe&rsquo;s top runners, for example, Italian female runners in the 10km could have their results counting alongside four-times European champion Nadia Battocletti.</p>
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<h2>European nations respond in masses to new concept</h2>
<p>With a huge response from the home country&rsquo;s runners, Belgium topped the country rankings in all six competitions.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But runners from France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Poland, &nbsp;Serbia, Ireland, Denmark and Norway all contributed by finishing as one of the top 25 from their country. In total, 1325 runners were included in the country ranking competition.</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1744641772/TSI_2068.jpg"></p>
<p>The concept is unique feature of the European Running Championships and gives recreational runners an additional incentive to be truly part of a European Athletics event.</p>
<p><strong>Chris Broadbent for European Athletics</strong></p>

Country Ranking opportunity embraced at European Running Championships

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Fatima Ouhaddou had a turbulent and eventful path to winning a historic gold medal for Spain in the marathon at the 2025 European Running Championships in Brussels-Leuven on Sunday (13).</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.acn-timing.com/?lng=EN#/events/2157860289051328/ctx/20250412_ek/generic/199030_12/home/LIVEMARA12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">Ouhaddou's race looked in some jeopardy when she found herself sprawled on the asphalt after colliding with a male club runner at a drinks station in the mid-stages of the race. Luckily no serious harm was done as the 31-year-old picked herself up and pulled clear for a surprise but richly deserved title in 2:27:14.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Never before had a Spanish woman been crowned European marathon champion since the event was introduced to the European Athletics Championships programme in 1982 but Ouhaddou ran her way into the annals of Spanish athletics with victory in Leuven and she also led Spain to the team title.</p>
<p dir="ltr">[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DIYqCidsLd_"]</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ouhaddou broke away from her more esteemed teammate Majida Maayouf - who finished 17th at the 2024 Olympic Games and holds the Spanish marathon record with 2:21:27 - just before the 40 kilometre mark and forged on to win the title in 2:27:14 with Maayouf taking silver in 2:27:41. Their third counter was Ester Navarrete in seventh in 2:29:47.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"I'm very happy to win the title. I had a hard preparation because of Ramadan. We also prepare at night; it wasn't easy for us to prepare during Ramadan. When I started, I was thinking about a medal but I didn't know which colour of medal," said Ouhaddou, helped by Maayouf who acted as her interpreter.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">And there was another dramatic denouement for the bronze medal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The overwhelming favourite Lonah Chemtai Salpeter found herself in real danger of leaving Leuven without an individual medal for posterity as she was closed down in the very late stages by her Israeli teammate Maor Tiyouri, who was almost one minute off the pace in tenth at halfway and still 16 seconds in arrears to Salpeter at 40 kilometres.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1744549160/IMG-20250413-WA0220.jpg"></p>
<p dir="ltr">Chemtai Salpeter was only aware of Tiyouri&rsquo;s challenge when she pulled alongside her with less than 30 metres to go but the tiring 36-year-old found another gear just in a nick of time to counter Tiyouri&rsquo;s late surge and keep hold of the bronze medal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Chemtai Salpeter, who admitted her preparations had been hampered by a back injury in recent weeks, won bronze in 2:28:01 with her disconsolate teammate - who fell across the line and into the path of the celebrating Spaniards - credited with the same time in fourth.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, Israel did come away with the team silver medal followed by hosts Belgium in bronze. The host nation's first scorer was two-time Olympian Hanne Verbruggen who was in contention for an individual medal until the latter stages before fading to 12th in 2:35:40.</p>

Ouhaddou wins dramatic and historic marathon gold for Spain at Brussels-Leuven 2025 

<p><strong>Italy&rsquo;s Iliass Aouani was the surprise winner of the men&rsquo;s marathon in a thrilling finish at the European Running Championships in Leuven on Sunday (13).</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.acn-timing.com/?lng=EN#/events/2157860289051328/ctx/20250412_ek/cms/MARA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Aouani found himself outnumbered by Israel trio Maru Teferi, Haimro Alame and Gashau Ayale in the final stages of a hard fought race. With just 2km to go, it was clear the medals were going to be decided between the quartet who were comfortably ahead of the rest of the field.</p>
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<p>Teferi, silver medallist at the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships and Budapest 2023 World Athletics Championships, had the strongest credentials of the lead bunch. But astonishingly, he was the first to crack leaving Ayale, Alame and Aouani to contend for gold.</p>
<p>In the final kilometre, Alame was the next to falter reducing it to a straight head-to-head battle between Aouani and Ayale. The Israeli, bronze medallist in Munich 2022, looked to have stolen the initiative in the closing 200 metres.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But Aouani refused to yield and gradually edged ahead, sprinting home to take gold in 2:09:05. Ayale took silver just three seconds adrift. Alame faded badly in the closing stretch and Teferi rallied to take another major medal in 2:09:17, ten seconds ahead of his teammate.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1744546923/IMG-20250413-WA0259.jpg"></p>
<h2>Redemption for Olympic heartbreak</h2>
<p>For gold medallist Aouani, it was an improvement of 18 places on his result at the Munich 2022 European Athletics Championships, which was only his second race at the distance.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was not very confident because my opponents were very good,&rdquo; said the champion afterwards. &ldquo;But in this kind of race, PBs are not so important. It was tough, but these races are not won by the strongest, but by the wisest.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;However, I was the best in the race. Behind that scream at the finish line were many years of hard times. Last year I didn't make it to the Olympics. It was a really frustrating year. I saw a lot of doors close, faced a lot of disappointments, there were a lot of doubts, dark times and moments of depression.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;But I'm really happy with the way everything turned out. I am really proud of myself. I needed this victory. I knew I was the champion, but the world didn't know it. Now they do.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Malede pays for premature burst</h2>
<p>It was a cagey opening to the race with a pack of thirteen runners crossing through 10km at 31:02 led by Britain&rsquo;s George James.&nbsp;</p>
<p>By halfway, the lead pack had been whittled down to nine which also included former European cross country champion and the fastest man in the field, Kaan Kigen &Ouml;zbilen and his Turkish teammate and namesake Ilham Tanui &Ouml;zbilen, himself a world and European indoor 1500m silver medallist.</p>
<p>At that stage, Bukayawe Malede looked like the leading Israeli contender, running confidently in the lead. He broke clear in the next 5km, but it was a wildly premature move and by the 35km mark he had slowed dramatically, lagging off the pace by one minute.</p>
<p>Teferi had also navigated a bad patch, dropping off the lead bunch just after halfway, but he regathered himself to re-join the leaders at 30km.</p>
<p>Aouani remained measured throughout, running tightly with the leading Israelis, always keeping something in reserve for the all important finish. James was fifth in a personal best of 2:10:10 with Ilham Tanui &Ouml;zbilen sixth in 2:10:26. Kaan Kigen &Ouml;zbilen faded to 11th in 2:13:50, whilst Malede braved it out to place 17th in 2:16:14.</p>
<h2>Team title for Israel</h2>
<p>Ayale, Teferi and Alame could also celebrate the team title with a combined time of 6:27:52, regaining the overall title they won in Munich in 2022.</p>
<p>The hosts also had another medal to cherish, with Belgium winning team silver courtesy of Dorian Boulvin (9th, 2:11:43), Thomas de Bock (10th, 2:12:03) and Yohan Zaradzki (14th, 2:14:53) with an aggregate time of 6:38:39.</p>
<p>Bronze went to T&uuml;rkiye with 6:39:17 with H&uuml;seyin Can playing a supporting role to the two &Ouml;zbilens, placing 15th in 2:15:01.</p>
<p><strong>Chris Broadbent for European Athletics</strong></p>

Italy's Aouani shocks illustrious field to win men's marathon at European Running Championships

<p dir="ltr">Yann Schrub ran a tactically perfect race to win inaugural 10km gold at the European Running Championships in Leuven on Sunday (13) morning in a lifetime best of 27:37.</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.acn-timing.com/?lng=EN#/events/2157860289051328/ctx/20250412_ek/cms/10KM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">This was Schrub&rsquo;s second European title as a senior having previously won gold - also on Belgian soil - at the 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Brussels.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">And Schrub also led France to team honours with his teammates packing brilliantly behind the individual winner. Etienne Daguinos, who briefly held the European record last year with 27:04, won individual silver in 27:46 with Fabien Palcau taking fourth in 28:05.</p>
<p dir="ltr">[INSTAGRAM ID="http://www.instagram.com/p/DIYWsgbMj4p"]</p>
<p dir="ltr">While France celebrated individual and team gold, there was yet another medal for the host nation as well with Isaac Kimeli - a medallist in years gone by at both the European Athletics Indoor Championships and the SPAR European Cross Country Championships - demonstrating his repertoire by winning bronze on the roads in 27:58.</p>
<p dir="ltr">From the medal-winning triumvirate, Daguinos and Kimeli took turns at the front while Schrub was happy to bide his time behind the leaders, waiting until the nine kilometre-mark to hit the front with keen enterprise.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And when Schrub moved into the lead, there was no response from either of his rivals. The 29-year-old moved away effortlessly to take the victory, opening up a winning margin of nine seconds over Daguinos with Kimeli hanging on to the bronze medal.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;I have two gold medals. It&rsquo;s a very good day for me,&rdquo; summed up the victorious Frenchman.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">&ldquo;Etienne and Isaac made the pace for me but it&rsquo;s a game - it&rsquo;s a championship and I just wanted to win, not make a time,&rdquo; added Schrub, who has also won medals in the 10,000m at the last two editions of the European Athletics Championships.</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, one notable casualty in the race was the reigning European 10,000m champion Dominic Lobalu from Switzerland who stepped off the road in the eighth kilometre while he was in the chasing pack.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Behind France who dominated the team race with a cumulative time of 1:23:28 from their three scorers, Spain (1:24:55) - aided by top-10 finishes from Jesus Ramos (28:07) and Juan Antonio Perez (28:16) - came away with team silver with Kimeli leading Belgium (1:25:22) to team bronze ahead of Great Britain (1:25:43).&nbsp;</p>

Schrub times it to perfection to win 10km gold at Brussels-Leuven 2025

<p><strong>Belgium recorded a historic 1-2 in the women&rsquo;s half marathon at the European Running Championships in Leuven on Saturday (12) with Chlo&eacute; Herbiet and Juliette Thomas delivering the performances of their careers to land gold and silver in front of an exuberant home crowd.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.acn-timing.com/?lng=EN#/events/2157860289051328/ctx/20250412_ek/cms/HALF" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a></li>
</ul>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JBMMy1LOsk?si=85cqaULR5-4rw8T_" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></p>
<p>Buoyed by the environment and the occasion, Herbiet and Thomas seized the day by going to the front in the early stages, where they were joined by pre-race favourite Diane van Es of the Netherlands and Germany&rsquo;s Esther Pfeiffer. The quartet arrived at the 5km mark at 16:40 locked together, a chunky 13 seconds clear of the pack.</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1744456482/WinnersHM_Brussels2025-31_1.jpg"></p>
<p>Soon after, Pfeiffer had found the going a little too swift and dropped away, leaving the Belgian duo and European 10,000m silver medallist van Es in the medal positions. The trio passed 10km in 33:16, with the German runner 19 seconds back and soon after dropping out entirely.</p>
<p>The leading three ran in close contact through to 15k, passing the mark in 50:26 with Spain&rsquo;s Meritxell Soler leading the chase, just 10 seconds behind with the chasing back a further 24 seconds back.</p>
<h2>Herbiet makes move at 18km</h2>
<p>Dutch runner van Es was the athlete with the strongest pedigree, having placed 16th in the Paris Olympic 10,000m final last year and 13th in the 2023 World 10,000m final in Budapest. But, to the surprise &ndash; and delight of the home fans &ndash; it was the Belgian Herbiet who made the decisive move around 18km.</p>
<p>Tenth in the 10,000m final at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships last summer, she has set two personal bests on the roads already this year in the 10km (31:50) and half marathon (70:04) and her form came to the fore.</p>
<p>Thomas drew inspiration from Herbiet&rsquo;s boldness and followed in her slipstream with van Es visibly beginning to struggle.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At 20km, the three athletes looked bedded in for the medals. There was a gleeful bound to Herbiet&rsquo;s stride as she passed 20km in 67:05 with Thomas nine seconds back, both feeding off an excited crowd in the final stages. At that stage van Es was third in 67:34.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But in the final kilometre, she came to a halt and failed to finish. A grateful Sara Nestola of Italy emerged from the pack with a late burst to take bronze in 71:26, just getting the better of Soler by two seconds, the latter perhaps paying for a largely lonely run.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/european-athletics/image/upload/v1744456522/IMG-20250412-WA0068.jpg"></p>
<p>By then, the celebrations were well underway, Herbiet taking gold in 70:43 with Thomas just 14 seconds behind for silver. Having placed 21st in the half marathon at Roma 2024, it was a notable improvement for the Belgian and she was understandably emotional at the finish.</p>
<p>With Victoria Warpy finishing 14th, the Belgians also won the team title to crown a glorious day. Italy won silver courtesy of Nestola, Rebecca Lonedo (7th) and Nicole Svetlana Reina (17th). Spain took bronze thanks to Soler, Maria Jose Perez (10th) and Ikram Rharsalla (19th).</p>
<p>Afterwards, a jubilant Herbiet said: "I can&rsquo;t believe it. I approached the finish line and was constantly looking behind. It&rsquo;s a lot of emotions&nbsp;right now. I am really proud of myself because I have put in the work during the whole race.</p>
<p>"I wanted to show today that I have the talent and that I won&rsquo;t quit. This victory is also a beautiful chapter that closes. I have trained on my own the last months. But I also know that all my past has formed me to be the athlete I am today. I wanted to close it off in style and show that, on my own or accompanied, what I love most is running.</p>
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<p>"It was incredible to run in front of a home crowd. If I am European Champion today it&rsquo;s also thanks to the crowd that gave me wings. The most difficult for me was to arrive here at the Europeans healthy and without injury. And that happened so I could run freely today."</p>
<p>An emotional Thomas said: "When Chlo&eacute; attacked, I had to drop back. I tried to stay with the Dutch athlete as long as I could. When I accelerated and she didn&rsquo;t follow, it gave me wings&mdash;but I was stressed all the way to the finish. I only felt sure in the final straight. I&rsquo;m incredibly happy."</p>
<p>Surprise medallist Nestola said: "I&rsquo;m incredibly happy. It was a total surprise for me to make it onto the podium. I never thought I could finish third. I&rsquo;m actually a marathon runner, so in the end, my endurance really made the difference.</p>
<p>"I felt better and better as the race went on. In the final stretch, it was all adrenaline. I&rsquo;m also really happy with the team performance from Italy."</p>
<p><strong>Chris Broadbent for European Athletics</strong></p>

Belgium 1-2! Herbiet and Thomas make half marathon history at European Running Championships

<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec ut augue suscipit, vestibulum enim non, dapibus ante. Nullam eleifend, massa ut venenatis dictum, libero elit gravida tellus, a vestibulum tortor ipsum non augue. Maecenas ullamcorper volutpat tincidunt. Praesent lorem ex, dignissim id commodo vel, fermentum nec neque. Integer enim purus, blandit vitae libero porta, venenatis tincidunt ipsum. Cras hendrerit quam vel nulla convallis aliquet. Cras placerat odio vitae lacus hendrerit rutrum. Suspendisse eget accumsan nulla, quis ultrices risus. Ut dui mi, porta ac commodo ac, tempor et elit. Nullam velit augue, mattis non elementum sed, luctus ut metus. Maecenas lacus nibh, ornare sed fermentum eget, posuere eget nulla.&nbsp;</p>

European Running Championships Reports

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The high jump challenges athletes to clear a steadily rising bar using a curved approach and a powerful take-off. Competitors must time their run-up perfectly, converting horizontal speed into vertical lift. The Fosbury Flop technique, now universal, requires exceptional body control as athletes arch over the bar. The event builds drama as the bar climbs higher and attempts become limited, often culminating in head-to-head duels.

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The longest standard track race, the 10,000 metres tests stamina, concentration and consistent pacing across twenty five laps. Athletes must manage physical strain as the race progresses, responding to surges and maintaining rhythm even as fatigue builds. Historically, European Championships have seen both cagey tactical contests and fast, relentless front-running performances. The event rewards those with strong endurance and the mental strength to stay composed for a long duration.

10,000 metres

The 100 metres is the shortest outdoor sprint and sets the benchmark for pure speed in athletics. Athletes accelerate from blocks and reach top velocity within seconds, maintaining form through a high-intensity dash down the straight. Reaction time is often decisive at this distance, with races won and lost by hundredths of a second. The event has a long tradition of showcasing the fastest men and women in Europe, and it remains one of the most watched races at any championship.

100 metres

The 5000 metres is a long-distance track race demanding aerobic endurance, tactical awareness and mental focus. Athletes complete twelve and a half laps, managing pace while responding to changes initiated by rivals. Success often depends on staying relaxed early before increasing pace in the closing stages. The event has evolved over time from slow, tactical races to consistently fast, aggressive championship battles.

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Relay events combine individual speed with coordinated teamwork. The 4x100 metres relies on fast, precise baton exchanges at high speed, with timing and communication proving as important as outright pace. The 4x400 metres tests speed-endurance, strategy and mental resilience as teams select athletes for specific legs. The mixed 4x400 metres adds the challenge of gender order selection, making race tactics central to success. Relays consistently produce some of the most exciting and unpredictable moments in championship athletics.

Relays: 4x100 metres, 4x400 metres, Mixed 4x400 metres

The 200 metres blends the power of the short sprint with the challenge of running a controlled curve. Athletes build speed through the bend before driving into the home straight, aiming to maintain momentum without tightening or losing stride rhythm. Success depends on combining fast acceleration with the ability to hold technique under pressure. The event has produced many memorable European championship performances, often highlighting specialist sprinters who excel in technical curve running.

200 metres

These sprint hurdles events require athletes to combine explosive speed with flawless rhythm over a set number of barriers. Runners must achieve a consistent stride pattern to clear each hurdle cleanly without breaking speed. A clipped hurdle can ruin momentum, while perfect technique creates a smooth, fast race. The short distance leaves no margin for error, making start reaction and precision critical.

100 metres hurdles (women) / 110 metres hurdles (men)

The 400 metres hurdles is one of the most technically demanding events on the track. Athletes complete a full lap while clearing evenly spaced hurdles, forcing them to maintain rhythm even as fatigue peaks. Mastery of stride pattern, pace control and hurdle execution is essential. The race is known for dramatic changes of position in the final straight as athletes fight both their rivals and the physical demands of the event.

400 metres hurdles

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The long jump blends speed, power and precise timing. Athletes sprint along a runway and take off from a board, aiming to maintain momentum into a controlled flight and efficient landing. Key elements include accuracy on the approach and the ability to transfer horizontal velocity into lift. The discipline has deep roots in athletics history and remains a showcase of raw jumping ability.

Long jump

The steeplechase combines distance running with technical obstacle work. Athletes clear barriers and a water jump each lap, requiring controlled footwork, balance and the ability to accelerate after each obstacle. Competitors must maintain rhythm while adjusting stride patterns to navigate hurdles efficiently. The event has become a staple of European competition, producing races that test both endurance and precise technique under pressure.

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Apeldoorn is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands and among the largest municipalities in Gelderland. It is a mid-size city with a population of approximately 161,000. Apeldoorn has a charming and lively inner city and a young, sports-minded population.

The town is easily accessible by car (A1 motorway) and train. The proximity of large cities such as Utrecht (59 kilometre) and Amsterdam (75 kilometre) and its space and tranquillity make Apeldoorn one of the most popular cities in the Netherlands. The area mainly consists of woods and heath-lands and is a popular destination for tourism, in particular hiking and cycling.

The Dutch royal family has always had close ties with the city. Apeldoorn is home to the stately Loo Palace, the former summer residence of the Dutch royal family and nowadays a national museum. Apeldoorn is possibly the most athletic-minded city in the Netherlands.

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The heptathlon brings together seven events across two days: hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin and 800 metres. Athletes must demonstrate versatility, technical skill and endurance across a wide range of disciplines. Scoring rewards consistency and all-round ability rather than excellence in only one area. The event is seen as a major test of complete athletic talent and resilience.

Heptathlon (women)

The decathlon features ten events spread across two days and is regarded as one of the most complete tests in sport. Athletes compete in sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws and middle-distance running. Success depends on technical skill, physical strength, endurance and mental focus across a demanding schedule. The best decathletes are celebrated for their versatility and their ability to perform across a broad spectrum of athletic challenges.

Decathlon (men)

The marathon covers a distance of 42.195 kilometres and stands as one of the most demanding endurance events in athletics. Athletes must balance pacing, energy management and hydration while navigating a long road course that often includes changes in terrain and elevation. The race typically develops through distinct phases, with early caution giving way to decisive moves in the later stages when fatigue begins to bite. Success requires exceptional aerobic capacity, mental resilience and the ability to maintain form over a prolonged distance. The marathon has a long and respected history within European competition and continues to showcase some of the toughest endurance performances in the sport.

Marathon

In hammer throw, athletes spin several times while controlling a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle. The challenge is to build rotational speed while maintaining balance and directing the hammer accurately into the sector. Technical precision and body control are essential, particularly during the final release. The event is one of the most demanding in the throws discipline.

Hammer throw

Javelin throwers combine a fast run-up with a technically efficient release of a spear-shaped implement. The discipline requires speed, mobility, shoulder strength and careful control of the javelin’s angle and trajectory. Athletes must generate force during the run-up while protecting their technique during the final delivery. The event has a long European tradition and regularly produces dramatic long throws in championship settings.

Javelin throw

The discus throw requires athletes to rotate within a circle to build momentum before releasing a heavy disc into the throwing sector. Balance, footwork and technique dictate success, with release angle and timing crucial for long distances. The event dates back to ancient athletics and has remained a showcase of technical throwing skill throughout European competition.

Discus throw

Pole vaulting requires speed, strength, coordination and courage. Athletes sprint down the runway, plant the pole and use it to propel themselves over a set height. Each attempt challenges timing, body control and technique, particularly during inversion and bar clearance. The event is known for its progression of rising heights and the technical battles between athletes to master complex vaulting mechanics.

Pole vault

The triple jump consists of a hop, step and jump in one continuous sequence. Athletes must generate and maintain forward momentum through each phase, requiring rhythm, leg strength and technical consistency. Distances depend on a smooth transition between phases and a balanced landing. The event demands a combination of speed and coordination unique within the jumps programme.

Triple jump

Race walking involves covering long distances under strict technique rules. Athletes must maintain continuous ground contact and keep the front leg straight as it lands, making endurance and technical discipline equally important. Races are often tactical, with pacing and efficiency playing a major role. Europe has a long history of success in this event, which remains a key part of the championships programme.

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The 400 metres is a one-lap sprint requiring both speed and controlled pacing. Athletes must judge their effort carefully, building a strong opening but leaving enough in reserve to withstand the final straight when fatigue peaks. The event rewards those with both raw sprinting talent and excellent speed-endurance. Historically, it has produced dramatic finishes as runners push to their limits in the closing metres.

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The 1500 metres is the classic middle-distance race. It requires athletes to balance steady pacing with the agility to respond to tactical changes and late surges. Many races unfold with a controlled early pace before a fast acceleration in the final lap, where positioning becomes critical. The event has a rich European history, often producing championship finals filled with strategy, resilience and highly competitive sprint finishes.

1500 metres

Run over two laps of the track, the 800 metres sits between sprinting and longer middle-distance racing. It is a tactical test as much as a physical one, with athletes often racing in packs, protecting position and timing their final kick. The event demands efficient running mechanics, race intelligence and a strong anaerobic capacity. European athletes have excelled in this discipline for decades, making it a consistently competitive and unpredictable race.

800 metres

Shot putters throw a solid metal ball from within a throwing circle, using either a glide or rotational technique. The event rewards explosive strength, balance and precise timing at release. Competitors must generate maximum power while staying within the circle, making technique as important as physical strength. Shot put has long been a central event in European championships, showcasing powerful and technically skilled athletes.