World Cross Country Championships

dna_leri

RTÉ Sport will provide live coverage of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships from Bydgosszcz in Poland on Sunday next.

Coverage on RTÉ Two television and RTÉ.ie (RoI) will run from 12 noon until 2.00pm.

Former European Cross Country Champion Catherina McKiernan will join Peter Collins in studio, with commentary from Greg Allen & Kathryn Davis.

Featuring among the Irish challenge will be double European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton and Mary Cullen, bronze medallist at the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championships.

The Irish team also includes Linda Byrne, Lizzie Lee and Ava Hutchinson who were all scoring members of the 2012 Gold Medal winning European Cross Country Championship team.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2013/0320/377548-world-cross-country-live-on-rte-sport/

Event previews and entry lists available here:
http://www.iaaf.org/news/press-release/event-previews-and-entry-lists-available-by

Looks like they have got some snow already with cold temperatures forecast for the weekend:
https://twitter.com/AthleticsCanada/status/313998753516376064/photo/1
http://www.accuweather.com/en/pl/bydgoszcz/273875/afternoon-weather-forecast/273875?day=5

Can't see that suiting the African athletes.

thirstywork2

Will be heavier snow than Eurocross

jeffontour

I'm really looking forward to this. It's only in the past few years that I've been excited about athletics meets, in particular running events. I'd have always watched sport on TV, all and any, didn't matter as I could see the merit in any competition but athletics was always a bit of a dark art to me.

Racing and training at my own piddly little level has given me a whole new appreciation for tactics used by particular athletes to play to their strengths, adjusting those to conditions(or not), how being physically at your peak is no good if you crack mentally, the lottery of being caught up in a fall at the break or not. I now see a whole new level of excitement in the sport as opposed to just people running quickly round in circles.

Having an Irish athlete at the top of her game going into it makes it even better and with a team who have delivered along side her is fantastic. Today I took surprise delivery of a huge mug alongside some runners I ordered last week. On Sunday I intend filling it a few times and drinking tae by the gallon watching what should be a few hours of quality entertainment.

SitUbuSit

What do we think are the chances of a medal for the Senior Women's Team?

Obviously Ethiopa and Kenya will do well. Beyond that Bahrain looks strong and UK team looks decent (though similar make up to the team Ireland beat in the Euro Cross).

Am I kidding myself to dream of sneaking a team bronze?

Really looking forward to seeing how Britton and Cullen perform. Hopefully the conditions will be to their advantage.

runjb

http://www.iaaf.org/news/preview/ayalew-and-muriuki-head-open-senior-battle-

Above see the preview from the IAAF. Britton is given a good mention. Loads of big names are out in the women's field, with Dibaba withdrawing etc. Teams from Ethiopia and Kenya will dominate, I think the bronze medal will be an open battle between Bahrain, Eritrea and maybe Ireland, dare I say!

woodchopper

Its a pity Galen Rupp isnt in this race. I guess it will be up to Cam MF Levins to teach the East Africans a lesson or two in the snow.

Birdie Num Num

runjb wrote: »

http://www.iaaf.org/news/preview/ayalew-and-muriuki-head-open-senior-battle-

Above see the preview from the IAAF. Britton is given a good mention. Loads of big names are out in the women's field, with Dibaba withdrawing etc. Teams from Ethiopia and Kenya will dominate, I think the bronze medal will be an open battle between Bahrain, Eritrea and maybe Ireland, dare I say!

I think you can throw many other teams in the mix for bronze. Uganda, USA, Marocco, Japan, even the Brits, not sure Portugal are still the same force. A bronze would be a very well earned medal. You never know. Let's go for silver!

RacoonQueen

Frank Greally put up a picture of the course on Facebook yesterday. Looks horrendous.

Also, can't see it anywhere, what time does the womens race kick off at?

runjb

Women's race starts at 12.15pm irish time. Live on RTE2.

Course is very tough, hills, snow and the works. It might suit the Irish girls!

huskerdu

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Frank Greally put up a picture of the course on Facebook yesterday. Looks horrendous.

Also, can't see it anywhere, what time does the womens race kick off at?

The website is as clear as mud, but I think it says that the womens senior race is at 1.15pm. ( 12.15pm Irish time)

http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-cross-country-championships/40th-iaaf-world-cross-country-championships-2-5096/timetable

pistol_75

1:15 local time. 12:15 Irish time it looks like to me.

runjb

Video of the course, gives a general idea of what it's likes: It has artificial mounds, steep bends, a tough hill and tough underfoot conditions = real cc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvMSDTPRkOg

runjb

Great blog here too of the day's action!

http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-cross-country-championships/40th-iaaf-world-cross-country-championships-2-5096/live/

pconn062

Shame they cleared all the mud off the course just to leave a layer of mud, will make for much tougher running.

rom

pconn062 wrote: »

Shame they cleared all the mud off the course just to leave a layer of mud, will make for much tougher running.

Bring on the mud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcLLxKAVx3s

RacoonQueen

pconn062 wrote: »

Shame they cleared all the mud off the course just to leave a layer of mud, will make for much tougher running.

They cleared off the mud to leave a layer of mud? :pac:

runjb

Africa wiping the board in the Junior races...Kenya and Ethiopia claiming all individual medals and top two team places. Highest European finisher was British girl Gorecka in 16th place.

15 minutes to go to the race, come on now Fionnuala and the Irish girls!

GoHardOrGoHome

Come on Fionnula!

rom

Great lack of any stats by RTE. We have a clock, wow

Skid X

Fionnuala has gone to the front very early, brave move.

GoHardOrGoHome

Very sloppy! Not a patch on the IMRA Wicklow Way Trail/Ultra though!

jeffontour

That hill looks like a f&*ker!

Rhys Essien

rom wrote: »

Great lack of any stats by RTE. We have a clock, wow

Coverage on BBC2 also.

rom

They have stats now

RacoonQueen

She keeps losing ground on that downhill. Don't agree with RTE that she seems to be struggling...

Those turns look tough.

rom

RacoonQueen wrote: »

She keeps losing ground on that downhill. Don't agree with RTE that she seems to be struggling...

Those turns look tough.

RTE commentators haven't got a clue and only read the script. Anchorman.

pconn062

RacoonQueen wrote: »

They cleared off the mud to leave a layer of mud? :pac:

Ha, snow I meant snow! Stupid brain work not so good!

RacoonQueen

She's still 14th, can't see her on camera now.

Still has a good chance of 10th I'd assume, unless she's struggling.

5th place in the team now too. I FInnoula, Mary and Linda move up they might finish 4th!

ballygowan1

Who is the female commentator? She is embarasing, the stuff she is saying.

Trying to give Briton some advise.

Skid X

The lead pace seemed inconsistent early on, the lead group were reeled in very quickly at one point. Tough to stay with the leaders when there is a sudden injection of speed.

pconn062

Good run by Fionnuala, she held her position very well after the group broke up.

Skid X

Fionnuala Britton finished in 14th, not what she would have hoped for but still a decent run.

5th in the Womens Team standings. That's a very good achievement.

ballygowan1

Will someone please tell me what Chamney knows about cross country running or being successful at international running for that matter?

Pisco Sour

ballygowan1 wrote: »

Will someone please tell me what Chamney knows about cross country running or being successful at international running for that matter?

What he say?

Rastadoyle

bloody africans have it sewn up ted!

pconn062

Great run by Mary Cullen as well, top 30 finish in the World Cross after such a long lay off is impressive!

jeffontour

Catriona is so dismissive of everyone else's opinion it's unreal! Rolling her eyes to heaven at anything in contradiction to how she would do things. Not sure I can suffer much more of RTE.

nerraw1111

Pisco Sour wrote: »

What he say?

I thought he talked a lot of sense, knows her background, gave his opinion based on that.

Both he and McKiernan spoke abit about Britton doing track in the lead up to today's race.

ballygowan1

Did Chamney get a grant this year?

huskerdu

I know USA were 4th and Ireland were 5th, but I missed the medal winners. Anyone know who were 1,2,3 ?
Thanks

Injuryprone

Don't know why the RTE analysts are giving Fionnuala such a hard time, calling it a bad run etc. She was still the no. 1 European, what more can you ask for.

The team finishing no. 1 European team seems to be looked on much more positively by them, while being no better an achievement than Fionnuala in the individual???

woodchopper

ballygowan1 wrote: »

Will someone please tell me what Chamney knows about cross country running or being successful at international running for that matter?

He is a better analyist than Eamon Coughlan thats for sure.

PS: I didnt realize you had to be an Olympic medalist to be on RTE Athletics coverage.

His handsome good looks also help. Dont be jealous now of the big dog.

Pisco Sour

I thought she ran well. Thought she'd be top 10 and first non East African born home. Wasn't far off the latter.

The team did well. It's really 4th place to be honest as Bahrain are a bit of a farce!

Common Sense

Two very significant points in my view. Both Britton and Ireland finished top Europeans. In individual race top 12 were African and 13th was USA. Similarly, in the team competition, 3 African teams and USA in front of us.

Brianderunner

Great run from Gebrhiwet in the "juniors"

Common Sense

One further point, the highest placed European in the junior races were 16th (women) and 35th (men). Overall I think this puts Fionnuala's performance in context, not to mention Mary Cullen's 27th

walshb

Best European team and best finish by a runner in Europe? That is absolutely brilliant.

ballygowan1

woodchopper wrote: »

He is a better analyist than Eamon Coughlan thats for sure.

PS: I didnt realize you had to be an Olympic medalist to be on RTE Athletics coverage.

His handsome good looks also help. Dont be jealous now of the big dog.

Jealous? Of what exactly? The guy constantly blew up at every international event.

A beard all over his face is hardy handsome now. He could have least have cleaned up for it or is he broke now that the tax payer isn't funding him to finish last in his heat at a European champs?

He was overly harsh on Briton and considering his terrible track record.

RacoonQueen

ballygowan1 wrote: »

Jealous? Of what exactly? The guy constantly blew up at every international event.

A beard all over his face is hardy handsome now. He could have least have cleaned up for it or is he broke now that the tax payer isn't funding him to finish last in his heat at a European champs?

He was overly harsh on Briton and considering his terrible track record.

Completely off topic but trust me he is very hawt.

ballygowan1

Seeing the Kenyan athletes up at the front in all races cannot but leave a bad taste in the mouth after all the recent revelations.

ronnie085

ballygowan1 wrote: »

Jealous? Of what exactly? The guy constantly blew up at every international event.

A beard all over his face is hardy handsome now. He could have least have cleaned up for it or is he broke now that the tax payer isn't funding him to finish last in his heat at a European champs?

He was overly harsh on Briton and considering his terrible track record.

Don't think he was harsh at all, when we hear from britton i'd say she'll be harder on herself, decent performance but think she's capable of more but everybody has an off day now and again