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Grøvdal wins in Dublin again with strong final lap

By mitchpa on December 15, 2021 • ( 0 )

by Clay Shaw

Dublin, Ireland, European Cross Country, Senior Women’s 8K, December 12, 2021—Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal of Norway only led for one lap – the important last lap – as she powered away from all competition to win by 20 seconds. Grøvdal, who won in Dublin in 2009 as a U20 athlete, has had many podiums since, but no golds. Grøvdal won in 2021 in 26:34 over the 8000-meter course.

After the race Grøvdal said, “I have won so many bronze and silver medals at European level – both on the track and in cross country – so for me to take the gold today means a lot. I am so happy for having been able to do that. It was a really tough and strong field, with so many good athletes on the starting line, so it is extra special to win gold. It was not only until the last lap that I realised that I would be able to take the win. I saw the Swedish girl, Meraf [BAHTA] falling behind, but I knew it was going to be a tough one from there. I think the start wasn’t easy, as I was a little behind, which made me feel a bit concerned, but then I slowly caught up with the girls leading the pack – that’s also the reason I still had some energy left towards the end. I felt very relieved coming down the home stretch – I am 31 now, and 12 years ago I took gold here in Dublin, and in the U20 race, so after so many silver and bronze medals, today it felt very special to take gold here in Dublin. Clearly, Dublin has been good to me, and, perhaps I should leave it that like that.”

Meraf Bahta of Sweden, who led on laps 1 and 3, would place second in 26:44. “I feel good, I’m so happy. It was a tough course. I did a fast first couple of laps so it was tough some moments after that, but I’m feeling good and feeling strong. It’s a nice course and I enjoyed it, but I still think I went off too fast in the first few laps, but there is always next time!”

Yasemin Can of Turkey, the 2019 Lisbon champ, led lap two, but soon faded and finished 14^th in 28:38.

Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany took the lead on lap four, but faded on the final lap to finish finish fifth in 27:12.

Klosterhalfen was passed by German teammate Alina Reh who earned the bronze with a great finish in 26:53. “I had two really tough years recently – I was injured, and missed the Olympic Games – so this medal means a lot to me after such a tough time. I am really, really happy with this result. Indeed, I felt that I had something to prove [after winning gold and the U23 European Championships two years ago]. I knew I am capable, but had to overcome my emotions and mental block – it turned out well, so I am really happy. I am glad I had my team behind me. Our plan was always to win a medal – we hoped for that – and we got the silver, which was great. We are very thankful and proud.”

Jessica Judd of GBR was fourth in 27:01, and led Great Britain to the team title, with Germany placing second, and Sweden taking third.

Fionnuala McCormack of Ireland was coming off a 2:23:58 marathon in Valencia, Spain on December 5, the second fastest in Irish history. In her 17^th European Cross Country appearance, McCormack placed ninth in 27:52. The 4-time Olympian, won European Cross Country titles in 2011 and 2012. “It was always going to be tough to be up at the front of that race, but that’s where I wanted to be. It was great out there. The support was unbelievable. It’s amazing to run a race where you just hear everyone roaring at you. I suppose when you go away from home you hear people shouting your second name or your country at you, but when everyone is shouting “Fionnuala” at you, it is nice. I passed one of the British girls at the end and I’d say she was just like, “Oh, I know what’s coming here,” because the crowd was so loud. It was great to be here again. In Dublin, 11 or 12 years ago, I had a really tough race and today was tough, but it was better, and I think overall the teams, the U23 lads earlier, the whole day, it was massive with the top five and top ten finishes – it was brilliant.”

The races were predicted to be cold, rainy, and windy, and thankfully they were not. Nevertheless, parts of the course were quite muddy from weather conditions leading up to the Sunday meet. The event was superbly organized by the local organizing committee, on the amazing Sport Ireland grounds, about seven miles northwest of the city center of Dublin.

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