Nick Griggs produced a dominant performance to take the gold medal in the men’s under-23 race at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal, leading Ireland to team gold in the process.
The 20-year-old finished in a time of 17 minutes and 47 seconds, 12 seconds clear of France’s Aurelien Radja.
Radja’s compatriot Pierre Boudy came home third in 18:03.
Griggs performance, combined with Callum Morgan and Niall Murphy finishing in eighth and 10th respectively, was enough to see Ireland take the team title ahead of France and Spain.
Tyrone runner Griggs, who turns 21 next week, had previously won 3,000m gold at the European Under-20 Championships in Tallinn four years ago but had been chasing a return to the top of the podium since.
After four silvers at various distances and age-grades in European competition, he had his moment in Lagoa after surging clear in the final lap of four.
Earlier in the day, Wexford 16-year-old Emma Hickey claimed bronze in the women’s under-20 race.
