In only her fourth race at the distance, Germany’s Franziska Gräter produced a stunning late surge to deny Ireland’s Lucie Cawley and claim gold in a thrilling women’s 2000m steeplechase final at the Rieti 2026 European Athletics U18 Championships on Saturday (18).
Cawley stayed within striking distance of the lead throughout the race, while Gräter - still only 15 - bided her time in the chasing pack, conserving energy for a decisive final lap.
As the bell sounded, both athletes made their move, with Gräter advancing steadily along the back straight. But it was Cawley who took command approaching the water jump, and after powering over the penultimate barrier, the Irish athlete looked set to strike gold.
Gräter, however, refused to surrender. Drawing alongside Cawley after the final barrier, the German unleashed one last burst of speed to set up a dramatic sprint to the line.
The pair brushed elbows in the closing metres before Gräter edged ahead to secure victory in a personal best of 6:36.03. Cawley had to settle for silver, but earned consolation with an Irish U18 record of 6:36.22.
"At the beginning of this year my coach told me that I should do 'steeple', said the gold medallist afterwards. "I like 'steeple' because it is more interesting than just doing your laps, you can concentrate on every obstacle and so time flows.
"This is only my fourth steeple race. I started in May in Pliezhausen where I qualified for the nationals and the Europeans, then I ran at our nationals, the semis here and now the final.
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"My goal for Rieti was to make it to the final and winning gold now is simply incredible. On the last 400m I felt that I have still energy left and that I can kick. It is an incredible feeling when you cross the finish line as first," added the winner.
Bronze goes to photo finish
There was an equally dramatic battle for bronze, with Czechia’s Lucie Jílková getting the verdict over Italy’s Yasmine Lazouzi after both athletes were timed at 6:37.60.
It was a deserved reward for Jílková, who had dictated the pace for much of the race before finally being reeled in over the closing 250 metres.
"I am so emotional and cannot believe that I managed to win a medal. I started this race with the plan to stay in the front to make sure I have space above the hurdles. The last meters were brutal. I did not see them coming and did not turn, I just pushed as much as possible," said the Czech.
*Geoblocking restrictions apply in territories where Rieti 2026 is being covered by a national broadcaster