Three gold medals at European cross-country championships
Willem Renders won Gold in the junior category, helping Belgium become European team champion in this category. The women's European title also went to Belgium in the team rankings.
Belgium was crowned European women's team champion at the 31st European cross-country championships in Lagoa, Portugal. Jana Van Lent finished 4th, Lisa Rooms 5th and Chloé Herbiet 7th. The Belgian athletes put in an exceptional collective performance, chasing the leading group together for kilometres.
In the country rankings, Belgium, which had already won bronze in the two previous editions, deservedly took gold, ahead of Great Britain and France.
Willem Renders became European cross-country champion in the junior U20 category.
From the start of the 4,450m race, the young Belgian took control and led the race for most of the way. It was only at 200 metres from the finish that he was caught up by another competitor, Spaniard Oscar Gaitan. But Renders stepped up a gear and was able to finish in first place. Bronze went to Alois Abraham from France.
Other young Belgian runners put in an outstanding performance in Portugal. Sem Serrano and Ilyès Druez finished 6th and 7th respectively, and Elliot Vermeulen finished 34th. Having literally crushed the competition, Belgium also won the gold medal in the Junior country rankings.
These superb performances highlight Belgian prowess in long-distance running.