Denmark’s oldest athletics trophy, the King’s Trophy, will be awarded once again on Saturday (22) when over 200 of the nation’s top runners gather for the Danish Cross Country Championships in Seest Idrætspark near Kolding.
With anticipated cold sunshine and a fast, flat route, the spotlight will fall heavily on the athletes recently selected for the upcoming Lagoa 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
Lillesø leads entries
In the men’s race, several Lagoa 2025 picks headline the field. Chief among them is Joel Ibler Lillesø, one of Denmark’s brightest young talents. In addition to his cross-country pedigree—including winning European U20 bronze in Dublin 2021—Lillesø arrives boosted by his 10,000m victory at the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen.
He is joined by fellow selections Christopher Frost-Jensen and Jacob Steengaard, both eager to test their form ahead of international competition. Denmark’s top marathoner, Jacob Simonsen, is also listed, though a calf issue may keep him from the start.
European medallist Thøgersen and Moller set to clash
The women’s field is equally strong, led by defending champion and twice women's U20 European cross country medallist Sofia Thøgersen.
She will be challenged by Danish teammtes Alberte Kjær and Nanna Bové—both selected for Lagoa—along with the resurgent Anna Emilie Møller, twice a former women's U23 champion at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
Poland and Austrian runners ready to go
On Saturday (22), the Polish Cross Country Championships will take place in Lubin. Among the contenders is Maciej Megier, who won gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships.
Whilst on Sunday (23), the Austrian Cross Country Championships in St. Margarethen will add further excitement to the weekend.
Among the top entrants is Kevin Kamenschak, who was eighth in the men’s U23 race at the 2024 SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Antalya and now returns as a major contender for national gold.
All told, it is a packed weekend of national cross country championships and European trials across the continent also including Cyprus, Ireland, Portugal and Great Britain.
