7 January 2000 – Monte Carlo – The grounds of Belfast's Stormont Castle -
now world famous as the home of the fledgling Northern Ireland Executive - will provide a
picturesque setting for the Fila International Cross Country tomorrow, the latest major
event of the 1999-2000 cross country circuit. Although not part of the IAAF Cross
Challenge circuit - which continues next weekend with the Cross Italica in Seville - the
Belfast meeting is still a favourite with many cross country specialists.
This year, the women's race offers an intriguing confrontation between Ireland's Catherina McKiernan and Britain's Paula Radcliffe. McKiernan, now firmly established as one of the world's best marathon runners, finished fifth in the recent IAAF Cross Challenge in Brussels after a long layoff due to injury, and has her sights set on Olympic gold in the marathon in Sydney. Radcliffe, who will make her season's debut in Belfast after a minor operation in December, finished second in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Seville and is aiming to become Britain's first ever Olympic gold medallist at that distance later this year.
Both women are superb cross country runners, each coming agonisingly close to becoming World Cross Country Champion - a title revered by distance runners. McKiernan won four consecutive silver medals at the World Cross Country Championships between 1992 and 1995 while Radcliffe has now won two silvers and a bronze in the last three editions. But while Radcliffe still dreams of taking gold in Lisbon in March, McKiernan will run the London Marathon in April as part of her Olympic build up.
Despite their reputations, neither will start as favourite: Ethiopia's 20 year-old Ayelech Worku (second in Brussels and 5000m bronze medallist in Seville) and the Romanian Constantia Dita (second at the European Cross Country Championships) have more race honed sharpness.
In the men's race, the favourite will be the unsung hero of last year's World Cross Championships, 21 year-old Patrick Ivuti. The Kenyan did the donkey work for Paul Tergat the last time he raced in Belfast, and will be hoping to go one better this year. His closest rivals are likely to be the 1997 European Cross Country Champion Carsten Jorgensen (Denmark) and South Africa's Shadrack Hoff, the national record holder for 5000m with 13:14.16.
