Andy leads team to Euro gold
Dunblane’s Andy Butchart made a significant contribution as the Great Britain and Northern Ireland landed gold in the European Cross Country Championships in Lisbon on Sunday.
Central AC stalwart Butchart was very much in the hunt for his second individual podium place at this event after winning bronze in 2017 - but ultimately but had to settle for fifth.
With Ben Connor in ninth place and, crucially, third counter Kristian Jones of Dundee Hawkhill Harriers home in 22nd, it meant a team gold for the Brits.
“I’m buzzing for the team, to get a gold medal is incredible,” said Butchat afterwards.
“Individually, it is hard. I’ll take fifth place on such a hard course. It didn’t really suit me on paper but I’m happy with how I did.
“It was chaotic – there were a lot of bodies in such a small space. It was a matter of trying to get through as many people as you could and once you were at the front, hanging on for as long as you could. I was so close yet so far.
“This course is so short and tight, it feels like you are miles away from a medal but you are actually pretty close, but that is cross country.”
He added:“There is something special about the European Cross Country Championships, Missing last year was hard so I made sure I was here this year.”
He started conservatively and worked his way through the field to be in the hunt for an podium place until the latter stages in Lisbon – finishing the demanding 10.25km course in 30.38.
Team GB and NI won the championship by just two points from Belgium with 36 points to 38 as Spain took the bronze medals.