Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s absence from the European Cross Country Championships last year only seemed to fuel his determination for a spectacular return in 2024. On Saturday, the Norwegian middle-distance superstar, who won in both 2021 and 2022, captured his seventh Euro XC title—his third as a senior—at Dokuma Park in Antalya, Türkiye.
The unbeaten streak continues. ⚔️
Jakob Ingebrigtsen 🇳🇴 wins his seventh individual title from seven appearances at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships! 🤯#Antalya2024 pic.twitter.com/YYJXPNZqK4
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) December 8, 2024
“The course was very challenging and tactical,” Ingebrigtsen, the two-time world 5,000m champion, told media post-race. “There’s a lot of fighting and pushing, a lot of things that could happen.” The 7.8 km course featured sections of sand and mud.
Ingebrigtsen ran comfortably in the lead pack throughout most of the race, before launching a decisive move in the final stages. He crossed the finish line in 22 minutes and 16 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa. Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo took bronze in 22:31.
Regina della cross! 👑
Nadia Battocletti 🇮🇹 completes the set of titles at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships!
And she leads Italy to a historic team gold! ✨#Antalya2024 pic.twitter.com/lwUwfSp7rI
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) December 8, 2024
Women’s race
Italy’s Nadia Battocletti stole the spotlight on the women’s side, securing her third continental title in 2024. The Olympic 10,000m silver medallist from Italy captured her first senior European cross-country title, following a season that saw her clinch a 5000m/10,000m double at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships.
Like Ingebrigtsen, Battocletti demonstrated strategic patience, remaining close to the front pack and unleashing a powerful kick in the final kilometres. She finished in 25:43—11 seconds clear of Germany’s Konstanze Klosterhalfen, who took silver for the second year in a row, crossing the line in 25:54 and matching her finishing time in 2023. The European 10,000m champion, Yasemin Can, ran 26:01 to capture bronze in her home country.
For full results of the 2024 European Cross Country Championships, head here.
