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,Atletismo: Carla Sacramento vence I Crosse de Oeiras. Record (2002-02-13). Retrieved on 2009-11-22. 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.Costa, Paulo (2004-11-21). Tariku Bekele beats Paul Tergat in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.
The Oeiras Cross Country has featured athletes such as Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat, Gebregziabher Gebremariam and Felix Limo.Steeple Newsletter. Steeple.de (2001-11-25). Retrieved on 2009-11-22. 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.Fernandes, António Manuel (2008-11-21). Masai dominates; Augusto defeated by Monteiro in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.Fernandes, António Manuel (2007-11-17). Merga and Rosa nab wins in Lisbon – Oeiras Cross Country Report. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. The men's race is 9 kilometres long, while the women's race is held over 5 km.Fernandes, António Manuel (2009-11-21).Gebremariam and Augusto the victors in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. 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.Associação de Atletismo de Lisboa . Maratona Clube de Portugal (2008). Retrieved on 2009-11-22.
The course in Jamor is adjacent the Estádio Nacional,Costa, Paulo (2005-11-20). Rutto, Rumokol the victors in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. the home ground of Portugal's national football team,Fernandes, António Manuel (2008-11-15). Masai dominates; Augusto defeated by Monteiro in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. 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.Fernandes, António Manuel (2008-11-13). Kilel leads Kenyan charge; Augusto the home favourite - Oeiras XC, PREVIEW. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.Campo a Través - Temporada 2002/2003 . Real Federación Española de Atletismo (2003). Retrieved on 2009-11-22. It is a long and hilly course which features a green, scenic setting.Fernandes, António Manuel (2006-11-12). Inzikuru and Kamais dominate IAAF XC in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. 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.Fernandes, António Manuel (2009-11-19).Gebremariam tops the field in Oeiras - preview. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.
The race has previously been broadcast live on television and attracts over 600 runners for the senior races annually.Costa, Paulo (2003-11-13). Malot aims for third title in Oeiras. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. 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.An impressive Bekele smashes opponents. IAAF (2002-11-17). Retrieved on 2009-11-22.Costas, Paulo (2003-11-16). Bekele wins but is closely shadowed by Kigen. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.
Past senior race winners
Key:
EditionYearWomen's winnerTime (m:s)Men's winnerTime (m:s)I200029:4819:31II200126:1015:33III200224:0516:01IV200327:2216:22V200426:2816:34VI200526:2717.36VII200626:1917:22VIII200726:3417:29IX200827:0717:31X200924:4115:39XI201028:3320:01
References
External links Official website