European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov hailed “one of the very best” SPAR European Cross Country Championships following Sunday’s 30th anniversary event in Antalya, Türkiye.
552 athletes from 39 teams, consisting of Member Federations and the athlete refugee team took part in seven races on a challenging course at Dokuma Park, including four gold medallists from the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships: Nadia Battocletti (women’s 5000m/10,000m), Yemaneberhan Crippa (men’s half marathon), Jakob Ingebrigtsen (men’s 1500m/5000m) and Alexis Miellet (men’s 3000m steeplechase).
Ingebrigtsen and Battocletti added to their golden medal haul from 2024, winning the men’s and women’s senior races respectively, as Crippa took a superb silver behind the Norwegian star. Great Britain topped the medal table once again with 12 medals across individual and team events, securing their 200th medal in SPAR European Cross Country Championships history.
"A perfect ending to a wonderful year"
President Karamarinov said: “Antalya 2024 was one of the very best SPAR European Cross Country Championships in history. This was the first time Türkiye has hosted the event, and it was a very well organised and enjoyable event for the athletes, officials and spectators that was befitting the 30th anniversary.
“Congratulations to the Local Organising Committee and the Turkish Athletic Federation for your successful delivery and hosting.
“The SPAR European Cross Country Championships provided the perfect ending to a wonderful year for the sport in Europe, with the successful hosting of the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships and the Paris Olympic Games in our continent.
“The very best European athletes have competed and succeeded on the international stage, and it was the same at Antalya 2024. Our attentions turn to the 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships and a return to Portugal, one of our most trusted partners to host this event.
“We are sure the Local Organising Committee of Lagoa 2025 will be able to prepare and deliver another occasion to enhance the reputation of the SPAR European Cross Country Championships even more.”