Sweden’s Sarah Lahti made history by taking her fourth successive victory at the Warandecross in Tilburg, a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Silver event, in gun-to-tape fashion on Sunday (30).
- Watch again here
In the absence of Maureen Koster, Lahti ran out to an unopposed victory in the senior women’s 10km in 33:11 by almost one minute ahead of Amina Maatoug (34:03) and Veerle Bakker (34:19) who were first and second respectively in the context of the Dutch Championships, solidifying their selection prospects for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa on 14 December in the process.
This was the first time in the history of the Warandecross that the senior men and women have both contested the same distance. And Lahti made further history by becoming the first athlete - male or female - to take four successive victories in this event, extending her run of victories which began in 2022.
“In the first part of the race we bunched up a little so I chose my own pace to stay out of trouble in the pack. The other athletes had a national championship at stake so it became a solo race. I now head to the European Cross Country Championships and the World Cross Country Championships [in Tallahassee on 10 January] is also on my mind,” said Lahti who finished sixth in Antalya last year.
In recent weeks, Lahti has also showed excellent form on the roads. She set a national 10km record of 30:58 in Lille to become the first Swede in history to break the 31 minute-barrier for the distance.
Lemmink reels in Fokkenrood for senior men’s victory
The senior men’s 10km was a decidedly more competitive affair with Nik Lemmink running down long-time leader Jesse Fokkenrood for victory, 29:46 to 29:59.
Lemmink extricated himself from the chasing pack in the third of six laps, eventually catching and passing the early leader on the fourth lap before pulling away from his tiring compatriot for victory in 29:46 ahead of Fokkenrood in 29:59.
“I expected the international athletes to push the pace, but it was Jesse Fokkenrood who took charge. I managed to catch him and extended my lead to win the race. I felt marvellous and I am looking forward to the European Cross Country Championships,” said Lemmink who finished third in a race won by Niels Laros last year.
Two-time European U23 1500m champion Stefan Nillessen moved through the field impressively on the last two laps, improving from 14th after the fourth of six laps to eventually finish third in 30:09 just ahead of Juan Zijderlaan in fourth in 30:10.
Both Nillessen and Zijderlaan are eligible for the U23 race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa.
Dutch brothers Robin and Rick Van Riel took a one-two in the 1.875km short course race, 5:09 to 5:13, with Sarah Peerik winning the women’s race in 6:04.
Full results here.
Photos courtesy of TPJ Verhoeven Photography