Alistair Cragg has been officially confirmed as part of the Irish team for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Santry Park next month.
Irish team management had held off confirming Cragg on the men’s senior team until he raced at the Thanksgiving Day 5km race in San Jose on Thursday.
The Clonliffe Harriers runner put in an impressive performance in what was a top quality field to finish 5th in a time of 13.45. This was Cragg’s first race since he competed in Berlin at the World Championships in August.
Irish team manager, Anne Keenan-Buckley, thinks Cragg has the ability to do well next month saying: ‘Alistair Cragg is an excellent athlete who has outstanding ability and his performance yesterday showed that, which is why he will be lining out in Santry.
‘ I know that he is very excited about racing at the European Cross next month and very hopeful of what he can do there. He is feeling strong and confident and now we hope he will continue to build on that over the next two weeks ahead of the event.’
Cragg’s inclusion in the team will mean that Raheny Shamrock’s Mick Clohisey will now be the first reserve for the men’s senior team should anyone be unable to compete next month.
There was also a boost to Irish hopes for a medal in the women’s senior race as defending champion Hilda Kibet has confirmed she will not be competing in the event this year.
With the Dutch athlete pulling out this will give Mary Cullen and the rest of the senior women’s team an increased chance of doing well in front of the home crowd next month.
The SPAR European Cross Country Championships will take place in Ireland for the first time on 13 December in Santry Demesne, Dublin.
