From the AAI website Ukrainian legend Serhiy Lebid and the Netherlands Hilda Kibet have both confirmed that they will defend their European Cross Country titles in Dublin in 2009. Lebid will be looking for an amazing ninth title when the event makes its debut in Ireland at Santry Demesne on the 13th of December. He will be joined by Great Britain’s silver medalist Mo Farah. Senior Women’s champion Hilda Kibet who dominated the race on Sunday has also confirmed her intention to compete.
This will be the first time that the SPAR European Cross Country Championships has been held in Ireland. The country has previously hosted the World Cross Country Championships on three occasions; in 1979 in Limerick when John Treacy retained his title, Belfast in 1999 and more recently in Leopardstown in 2002.
The Irish team will be hungry to get on the podium on their home soil. This follows Mary Cullen’s brave and exciting run on Sunday, Martin Fagan’s unfortunate fall while in a very strong position and the 4th place positions of the Women’s Junior and U23 teams for what will be one of the sporting spectacles of the year in Ireland.
At the Press Conference launch in Brussels on Saturday 13th December Mary Coghlan CEO Athletics Ireland said “I am certain it will be a great event in a city that has so much to offer and we are very excited to have the opportunity to host an event of this calibre. It is of course also a great chance for our own Irish athletes to excel on their own turf.”
Tom McCormack technical Director of Local Organising Committee for Dublin believes the course will be tough but fair for all the competitors. “It runs over good grass land with interesting dips and good running sections on each lap. While there are no severe hills and no obstacles on the lap the course is a fair test of strength and speed for all competitors”.
President of Athletics Ireland Liam Hennessey said, “This it provides a great opportunity to commemorate the success of John Treacy in winning the World Cross Country Championships on Irish soil 30 years ago and remind the Irish public that Ireland has a great tradition in Cross Country running and are capable of matching any other country in Europe.”