European Cross Country Championships 2025: Back to Portugal

On Sunday, 14th of December, the primary European cross country competition marked its return to Portugal for the first time after 2019. Best athletes were competing in 4 disciplines: U20 (4.5 km), U23 (6 km), mixed relays (4×1.5k m) and Senior race (7.5 km).

The event showcased tense, but fair rivalry, filled with unexpected events and fan-welcomed combacks.

Since Jakob Ingebrigtsen last minute pull-out, Jimmy Gressier of France and Nadia Battocletti were among the favorites for Senior victories in there categories. However, the races unfolded not in the most obvious way.

Winners in categories:

Senior men

1. Thierry Ndikumwenayo, ESP – 22:05

2. Jimmy Gressier, FRA – 22:08

3. Dominic Lokinyomo, SUI – 22:23

Senior women

1. Nadia Battocletti, ITA – 24:52

2. Megan Keith, GBR – 25:07

3. Yasemin Can, TUR – 25:13

U23 men

1. Nicholas Griggs, IRL – 17:47

2. Aurélien Radja, FRA – 17:59

3. Pierre Boudy, FRA – 18:03

U23 women

1. María Forero, ESP – 19:59

2. Ilona Mononen, FIN – 20:04

3. Pia Schlattmann, GER – 20:23

U20 men

1. Willem Renders, BEL – 13:11

2. Oscar Gaitan, ESP – 13:12

3. Alois Abraham, FRA – 13:19

U20 women

1. Innes Fitzgerald, GBR –14:35

2. Lucie Paturel, FRA – 15:07

3. Emma Hickey, IRL – 15:10

Mixed relay was especially welcomed by the crowd because of the crazy comeback from team Portugal during the last two legs of the race: Rodrigo Lima, Patricia Silvam Salome Afonso and Isaac Nader brought the second place home.

1. Italy –17:12

2. Portugal – 17:16

3. Great Britain & Northern Ireland – 17:17

The overall team standings reveald the Spain’s triumph, with Ireland and France taking 2nd and 3rd places and the even host, Portugal, taking 5th.