McCormack has Cross purpose in Lisbon in bid for sweet 16

DECEMBER, the European Cross Country Championships, and Irish medal hopes resting squarely on the shoulders of Fionnuala McCormack.

By now it’s an annual tradition, and this is a setting in which the 35-yearold Wicklow woman stands alone.

When she takes to the line for the senior women’s race in Lisbon tomorrow, it will be her 16th appearance, a record unmatched by any female athlete, though don’t expect the twotime former champion to treat such a thought with anything but contempt.

She may have won gold in this race in 2011 and 2012, but subsequent years have seen her relinquish that supremacy, even if this is a realm where her world-class ability shines like few others. The presence of Turkey’s Yasemin Can – formerly Vivian Jemutai of Kenya – will mean McCormack enters the race as an underdog, given the Turk has won the last three titles with commanding ease.

McCormack was fifth behind Can in 2016, 12th the following year, while last year she was absent after giving birth to her daughter, Isla.

Her return to racing in 2019 couldn’t have been more impressive. Just four months after giving birth McCormack finished sixth at the international cross country in Belfast and two months after that she finished 18th at the World Cross Country in Denmark.

“I didn’t want to come if I wasn’t in top-30 shape,” she said then. “I didn’t want to just be making up the numbers.”

Of all the traits required for success in cross country – strength, stamina, a versatile stride – it’s the sheer capacity to hurt that counts most. An area McCormack (below) possesses a rare gift. But did childbirth change her – physically or mentally?

“I don’t think I’ve changed that much, no,” she said. “All these people say it’s easier after [becoming a mother], that you don’t overthink anything. I had this idea that I wouldn’t get nervous any more, but I was nervous [the morning of the race].”

At 35, McCormack seems better than ever. Proof of that came at the Chicago Marathon in October, where finished fifth in 2:26.47. That qualified her for a fourth Olympics in Tokyo, and while the marathon will remain her focus, McCormack couldn’t resist a tilt at the event in which she made her name.

“I took a week off after (Chicago) and it’s hard because I love cross country and I wanted to do it but I knew I had to be sensible. Going into Olympic year you don’t want to do anything stupid but I came off it well.” With three to score in the team event, the senior women could challenge for medals if Ciara Mageean and Aoibhe Richardson bring their best. It’s unlikely the senior men will make a dent, a team led by national champion Liam Brady which includes last year’s 10th-place finisher Seán Tobin. Both Irish U-23 teams look capable of springing a surprise, with

Brian Fay, Peter Lynch, Jack O’Leary and Cathal Doyle capable of strong finishes. The US-based trio of Stephanie Cotter and sisters Eilish and Róisín Flanagan could also contend for a medal in the women’s race. Efrem Gidey was a late addition in the U-20 race after much work from Athletics Ireland.

The 19-year-old grew up in Eritrea and came to Ireland in 2017 as a refugee, making a name for himself with Clonliffe Harriers and Le Chéile Secondary School in Tyrellstown. Due to his status there was a question mark over his participation, but a travel visa secured in recent days will allow him to compete. He will be joined by Irish U-20 champion Darragh McElhinney.

All the action will be streamed live on the European Athletics website from 9am tomorrow, with live coverage on RTÉ2 from midday.