Top Irish female ultra runner, Helena Crossan, ran a superb tactical race to finish third in the European 100km Championships on 20 June 2009. The Donegal athlete also claimed 6th spot in the World Championships, which was staged concurrently.
The competition took place in Torhout, Belgium. Following a 20:00 start on Friday 19th June 2009, the athletes ran through the night hours on a flat, winding course of 20km.
In a magnificent battle for European bronze, Crossan overhauled German rival Branka Hajek with 10 miles remaining. She never looked back. Indeed, the 2009 Anglo Celtic Plate champion was quicker than all of her European and global rivals over the final quarter of the gruelling 62.1-mile event.
First and second place in the European competition went to Irina Vishnevskaya (Russia) and Moncia Carlin (Italy), respectively, while Kami Semik of the USA took the world title.
Although Crossan's finish time of 8:04:39 was outside her own Irish record of 7:52:47, it was a truly fantastic performance in the breezy, cool conditions. Her medal represents another milestone for Irish ultra runners.
European 100km Championships - Women
1. Irina Vishnevskaya (Russia) - 7:46:25
2. Moncia Carlin (Italy) - 7:53:57
3. Helena Crossan (Ireland) - 8:04:39
World 100km Championships - Women
1. Kami Semik (USA) - 7:37:23
2. Irina Vishnevskaya (Russia) - 7:46:25
3. Moncia Carlin (Italy) - 7:53:57
4. Devon Crosby-Helms (USA) - 7:59:17
5. Meghan Arbogast (USA) - 8:04:28
6. Helena Crossan (Ireland) - 8:04:39
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