Griggs won individual gold in the men’s U23 race at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal on Sunday, while Ireland also claimed the team victory
U23 Men
Ireland’s Nick Griggs comes through the finish line to claim gold
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy(Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)
Nick Griggs clinched a stunning individual gold and led Ireland to a team triumph at the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal on Sunday.
The Tyrone athlete, who had previously secured three silver medals in the men’s U23 race at the championships, was determined to take home the gold this time.
Griggs pulled ahead during the final lap at Parchal Urban Park in the Algarve, finishing a full 12 seconds ahead of France’s Aurélien Radja, with Pierre Boudy, also from France, coming in third.
His fellow Irishman Callum Morgan followed him in eighth place, while Niall Murphy finished 10th, securing a comfortable victory for Ireland in the team event. Ireland ended with a total of 19 points, leaving France in second place with 33 points and Spain in third with 43 points.
Earlier in the day, Ireland had already celebrated success with 16 year old Emma Hickey earning bronze in the U20 women’s race, reports the Irish Mirror.
The Wexford runner demonstrated her promising future by completing the 4450m distance in 15:10, winning Ireland’s first-ever medal in this race.
Ireland’s Anna Gardiner also put up a strong performance in the same race, finishing sixth with a time of 15:17.
