As previous years, the Dutch Athletics Federation (Atletiekunie) and the local organization Stichting Warandeloop have taken the initiative to organise a country meeting cross-country for European athletes only: the Nations Cup during the International loket.nl Warandecross in Tilburg, the Netherlands.
The International loket.nl Warandecross acquired the EAA-permit some years ago and belongs to the top cross-country events in Europe, we hope to receive the permit also for 2010. Some years ago, the event was further upgraded to an official country meeting cross-country and about 200 athletes from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, England, Ireland and Eastern European countries participated in the International loket.nl Warandecross. Especially with respect to the junior categories, the International Warandeloop is, next to the European Championships, one of the largest cross-country athletic events in Europe.
The Nations Cup is held on November 28, 2010, a date which fits very well in the European cross-country calendar. This will most likely lead to a large number of European top athletes competing against each other in the backyard of Tilburg University. In addition, the Warandecross can function as a qualification race for the SPAR European Cross-country Championships that are being held December 12, 2010 in Albufeira, Portugal.
Looking back on the Nations Cup 2009
On November 21 and 22 the 51st Warandecross meeting in Tilburg took place in the backyard of Tilburg University. The race served as the final trial for the Dutch athletes before the European Cross Country Championship next month in Dublin. Moreover, for many athletes the Warandecross was the ideal test as a preparation for the European Championship. The weather was perfect for racing during the International loket.nl Warandeloop. After a rainy night, and threatening clouds in the early morning, the sun shone all day long.
At 1.20 p.m. the Women’s Gala started. The all-time favorite Ana Dulce Felix (P), knew to fulfill the high expectations. In the beginning of the race it appeared to become an exciting race, but as the race progressed, Felix showed why she came in 15th during the last World Cross Country Championships. The battle for the second place was more exciting. Just like last year, Adriënne Herzog (NL) knew to confiscate the second place, leaving Almench Belete (B), Nadja Ejjafine (I) and Veerle Dejeaghere (B) behind her. The other athletes in the top ten were: Simret Restle (G), Maria Sig Moller (DK), Miranda Boonstra (NL), Helen Clitheroe (GBR) and Hattie Dean (GBR).
The men’s race was much more surprising. Two Dutch athletes: Gert-Jan Wassink and Michel Butter took the lead half way the race. In the end, however, it was the Moldavian Jaroslaw Musinschi who won. At 9 seconds Michel Butter (NL) came in second, and Gert-Jan Wassink (NL) followed at 8 seconds. Two East-European runners took place 4 and 5: Vitalie Gheorgita and Vitaliv Rybak. Pieter Desmet (B), last years runner-up came in seventh, just behind his fellow countryman Krijn van Koolwijk (B). Morten Toft Munkholm, Jamal Baligha and Bene Barnabas complemented the top ten.
