by Clay Shaw Photography by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell
Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal was dominant as she won her third European XC title in a row. She won in 33:40 on the muddy 9000 meter course at Laeken Park, Brussles, Belgium.
In her senior race debut Nadia Battocletti of Italy earned silver in 34:25. Abbie Donnelly of Great Britain was third in 34:42. Fionnuala McCormack of Ireland, the 2011 and 2012 Euro XC champion, was fourth in 35:00. McCormack was running in her record-setting 18th Euro XC event. Jessica Warner-Judd of Great Britain was fifth in 35:20. Great Britain won the team title, with Spain and Belgium earning podium spots.
Top Finishers
33:40 Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal, Norway
34:25 Nadia Battocletti, Italy
34:42 Abbie Donnelly, Great Britain
35:00 Fionnuala McCormack, Ireland
35:20 Jessica Warner-Judd, Great Britain
35:29 Lisa Rooms, Belgium
35:31 Cecile Jarousseau, France
35:32 Irene Sanchez-Escribano, Spain
35:34 Chloe Herbiet, Belgium
35:37 Izzy Fry, Great Britain
35:42 Poppy Tank, Great Britain
35:42 Marie Bouchard, France
36:00 Cristina Ruiz, Spain
36:03 Amelia Quirk, Great Britain
36:12 Elena Burkhard, Germany
36:15 Caroline Robles, Spain
36:18 Juliane Hvid, Denmark
36:22 Maria Sagnes Wagan, Norway
36:27 Niamh Bridson-Hubbard, Great Britain
36:31 Margaux Sieracki, France
The Senior Women start the 9000 meter race at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships. Seniors isn’t the USA term, but it is used internationally for athletes born in year 2000 or earlier, 23 and up.
Senior Women, 23 and older, sort themselves out upfront.
Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal of Norway wins her third straight Euro XC title.
Great Britain won the team title with Izzy Fry, Poppy Tank, Abbie Donnelly, Jessica Warner-Judd, Amelia Quirk, and Niamh Bridson-Hubbard. All six runners were in the top 20.
Nadia Battocletti of Italy earns the second place spot in her first race as a “senior.”
Abbie Donnelly is happy with third overall and earning gold on the first place Great Britain team.
Nadia Battocletti of Italy, in her first year in the senior race, takes silver in 34:25.
Abbie Donnelly of Great Britain is happy with her third place finish in 34:42.
Fionnuala McCormack of Ireland was fourth in 35:00. McCormick was the Euro XC winner in both 2011 and 2012.
Chloe Herbiet of Belgium was ninth in 35:34.
Jessica Warner-Judd on Great Britain finished fifth and said it was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Team Great Britain won the team title.
Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal of Norway won by 45 seconds with a 33:40 time. Grøvdal has now won the Euro XC title three years in a row.
Team France was fourth only behind Belgium by one point 38 to 39.
Runner's Gazette 
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