The countdown has begun with only one year to go until Ireland plays host to the 2021 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.

This will be second time the prestigious event visits Irish shores following the successful hosting of the event in Santry in 2009.

The 2021 European Cross Country Championships will take place at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus on Sunday 12th December. Athletics Ireland bid for this championship was supported by Fingal County Council, Sport Ireland and RTE.

Excitement is already building on the back of hugely successful 2019 European Cross Country Championships which saw Irish athletes take home four medals, two individual and two team, at Bela Vista Park in Lisbon.

The two individual bronze medals were won by Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers) in the U20 men’s race, and Stephanie Cotter (West Muskerry) in the U23 women’s race. Two team silver medals were won by the U23 women and the senior women.

There were also two agonising fourth place finishes for the U20 men’s team and Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) in the senior women’s race. 

Further details relating to the 2021 SPAR European Cross Country Championships will be released early in the new year.