An imperious run by Nick Griggs started the Irish gold medal rush at the European Cross-Country Championships in Portugal, his victory in the under-23 race also leading Ireland to a brilliant time title in the same category.
Griggs already had three runner-up medals to his name, but there was no stopping him around the fast and furious course at Parchal Urban Park in the Algarve, as he crushed the opposition in the last of the four laps.
Five days shy of 21, the Tyrone athlete is still young enough for this grade next year, his training partner Calum Morgan also running a superb race to finish eighth. Niall Murphy tooki 10th place, giving Ireland the team gold with just 19 points.
Earlier, in the women’s under-20 race, 16-year-old Emma Hickey from Wexford won bronze after a beautifully timed effort, that race dominated Great Britain’s Innes FitzGerald. Anna Gardiner, the Down runner back from college in the US, also ran a strong race to finish sixth.
More to follow…
