SPAR are giving runners from all over Ireland the chance to experience what it’s like to compete on the purpose-built cross country track at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, which will host the 2020 SPAR European Cross County Championship.

The SPAR Cross Country Xperience, which was launched yesterday, is limited to 1600 places and those who wish to participate are being urged to sign-up as soon as possible so as not to miss out.

The event will take place on Sunday, 20th October 2019. Participants that complete the 4.1km course will receive a specially designed SPAR Cross Country Xperience t-shirt and medal.

The SPAR Cross Country Xperience will be part of the SPAR Autumn Open International Cross Country Festival which will see top athletes from Ireland and around Europe battle it out for glory on the cross country course.

It will act as a dress rehearsal for many of the athletes as they familiarise themselves with the terrain ahead of the SPAR European Cross Country Championship which will take place on the same course on Sunday, 13th December 2020.

On hand to help launch the SPAR Cross Country Xperience were Irish international athletes Sarah Healy and Mick Clohisey.

Healy secured a silver medal for Ireland in the 1500m at the U20 European Junior Championship earlier this summer. She competed at her first European Cross Country Championships last December in Tilburg.

2016 Rio Olympian Mick Clohisey has competed for Ireland 10 times at the European Cross Country Championship. He is currently training to gain qualification to represent Ireland in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics.

“We are proud of our association with athletics from the European Championships to recreational races which encourages individuals to get involved in physical activity and perfectly complements our SPAR Better choices message,” said Colin Dinnelly, Sales Director of Spar.

“Athletics Ireland are delighted to work with SPAR in bringing cross country running to a whole new audience,” added Athletics Ireland CEO Hamish Adams.

“The SPAR Cross Country Xperience is a great initiative as it helps to promote an active lifestyle, and it also has the added benefit of offering participants the opportunity to run on the same course that will be used for the SPAR European Cross Country Championships which will be held in Dublin on December 13th 2020.”

You can sign up to compete in the SPAR Cross Country Xperience here.



Image Credit: Sam Barnes Sportsfile