Oeiras International Cross Country
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The Oeiras International Cross Country (Portuguese: Crosse Internacional de Oeiras) is an annual cross country running competition that takes place in Oeiras, Portugal. Established in 2000,[1] it is usually held in mid-November and is traditionally the first competition of the IAAF's cross country season, which culminates each year in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.[2]
| Oeiras International Cross Country | |
|---|---|
The Oeiras course is run near the Estádio Nacional | |
| Date | Mid-November |
| Location | Oeiras, Portugal |
| Event type | Cross country |
| Distance | 9 km for men 5 km for women |
| Established | 2000 |
| Official site | Oeiras Cross Country |
The Oeiras Cross Country has featured athletes such as Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat, Gebregziabher Gebremariam and Felix Limo.[3] The race can be of high importance to Portuguese athletes as the results are often used to decide the national squad for the European Cross Country Championships.[4][5] The men's race is 9 kilometres long, while the women's race is held over 5 km.[6] In addition to the professional senior races, there are also a number amateur races, including shorter cross country races for children, as well as junior and veteran races.[7]
The course in Jamor is adjacent the Estádio Nacional,[8] the home ground of Portugal's national football team,[9] and is the same circuit that was used for the 1997 European Cross Country Championships and the men's 1999 European Club's Cross Country Cup in 1999.[10][11] It is a long and hilly course which features a green, scenic setting.[12] The competition is organised by the same group which sets up the Lisbon Half Marathon and the Portugal Half Marathon – the Maratona Clube de Portugal.[13]
The race has previously been broadcast live on television and attracts over 600 runners for the senior races annually.[14] The competition has been sponsored by a number of patrons over its short history, including: Vodafone, Sport Zone, Banco Português de Negócios, Energias de Portugal and Finibanco.[15][16]
Past senior race winners
Key: Course record
| Edition | Year | Women's winner | Time (m:s) | Men's winner | Time (m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 2000 |  Martin Sulle (TAN) |
29:48 |  Carla Sacramento (POR) |
19:31 |
| II | 2001 |  Enock Mitei (KEN) |
26:10 | Leah Malot (KEN) |
15:33 |
| III | 2002 |  Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) |
24:05 | Leah Malot (KEN) |
16:01 |
| IV | 2003 | Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) |
27:22 | Merima Denboba (ETH) |
16:22 |
| V | 2004 | Tariku Bekele (ETH) |
26:28 | Alice Timbilil (KEN) |
16:34 |
| VI | 2005 | Ronald Kipchumba Rutto (KEN) |
26:27 | Elizabeth Rumokol (KEN) |
17.36 |
| VII | 2006 | Peter Kamais (KEN) |
26:19 |  Dorcus Inzikuru (UGA) |
17:22 |
| VIII | 2007 | Imane Merga (ETH) |
26:34 | Mónica Rosa (POR) |
17:29 |
| IX | 2008 | Titus Masai (KEN) |
27:07 | Inês Monteiro (POR) |
17:31 |
| X | 2009 | Gebregziabher Gebremariam (ETH) |
24:41 | Jessica Augusto (POR) |
15:39 |
| XI | 2010 |  Teklemariam Medhin (ERI) |
28:33 | Anália Rosa (POR) |
20:01 |