Anita Haakenstad Eversten (NOR) at the European Mountain Running Champs - WMRA (© c)
Cauterets, FranceThe 6th edition of the European Mountain Running Championships was held in the dramatic scenery of the French Pyrenees, which was enhanced by low lying mist from which the runners emerged into bright sunshine.
Czech Anna Pichrtova lost her crown to the Norwegian, Anita Haakenstad Eversten by the narrow margin of 49 seconds. Yet one wonders if Pichrtova had had more time to recover from her car accident in Nigeria last November whether she could have found the extra pace to make a closer challenge.
This is the first major event medal won by the Norwegians who also placed Kirsten Otterbu in bronze medal position but unfortunately, Norway could not place their third counter high enough to take the team title which went to Switzerland (17 points) who were led home by World Trophy silver medallist Marina Straehl in 4th position.
The men's race also produced a new champion as the Turkish runner Ahmet Arslan held off the strong Italian pair Marco De Gasperi (four-times World champion), who was 11 seconds behind, and last year's European champion Marco Gaiardo who was a further 19 seconds adrift.
The Italians had the consolation of a team gold medal position with 15 points to the France's 31 points.
Across the reacesThere was a pleasing distribution of medals with seven countries sharing positions on the podium.
The introduction of junior races on a trial basis was judged a success. Lucija Krkoc (SLO) won the junior women's race with Britain taking the team title and Turkey headed by Mehmet Akkoyun swept the podium to take the junior men's title.
Danny Hughes for the IAAF
Leading Results
Men
1 A Arslan TUR 68.39
2 M de Gasperi ITA 68.50
3 M Gaiardo ITA 69.09
4 A Bolkhovitin RUS 70.01
5 S Epiney SUI 70.16
6 R Fontain FRA 70.28
Teams
1 Italy 15
2 France 31
3 Germany 36
15 countries finished full teams
Women
1 A Eversten NOR 51.45
2 A Pichrtova CZE 52.34
3 K Otterbu NOR 52.56
4 M Straeh SUI 53.26
5 A Joly Flueckiger SUI 53.45
6 I Guillot FRA 53.51
Teams
1 Switzerland 17
2 Czech R. 22
3 Italy 29
16 countries finished full teams