Dublin will host the 16th SPAR European Cross Country Championships which will take place in Santry Demesne, Dublin on the 13th of December 2009.

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of John Treacy’s second victory at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Limerick in 1979, LOC Event director Liam Hennessy, who incidentally, was the Communications Director on the LOC in Limerick, said he was delighted to be bringing the event to Dublin for the first time and confident of Irish medal success at the event.

From when the athletes arrive in Dublin airport, it is envisaged that their hotels and the course will be no longer than a maximum of 2-3km from the airport making it a very attractive proposition for thousands of Cross Country visitors from around Europe to visit the capital.

Traditionally, the event attracts athletes from over 30 European countries and over 20 million TV viewers, but Hennessy insists that because of the attractiveness of the city and the proximity of the course to the airport, he hopes that Dublin 2009 sets a new record for participation.

Speaking on behalf on European Athletics, Communication Manager James Mulligan, said “From our perspective we are in no doubt that Dublin has the capability, tradition and knowledge to make the 2009 edition of the Championships the best ever.”

“The course is top class and within walking distance of most of the hotels. The Irish sports fans are great supporters of events held in Ireland and the resurgence of Irish athletes in recent times will mean that they will be pushing hard for medals in most if not all of the races”

Irish athletes have a sterling record of winning medals in major championships held on home soil as witnessed by John Treacy’s victory in Limerick not to mention team silver medals for the men in 1979 and for the women at the World Cross in Leopardstown in 2002. Catherina McKiernan was also the first ever woman’s champion when the event was inaugurated in 1994.

Tickets:
€20 for adults and €10 for U-16, while a special family ticket which will admit two adults and a maximum of four children is available at a price of €40.

Box Office:
http://www.ticketmaster.ie

Further Info
http://www.dublin2009.ie