After a five-week intermission, the Belgian Lotto Crosscup returns with the Grand Prix de la Province de Liège, part of European Athletics Cross Country Permit Meetings, on Sunday 26 January in Hannut.
Belgian’s best cross-country runners will challenge an impressive international field in the small town in Liège, famous for its cross country; the Grand Prix has been held there since 1941 and is one of the oldest in Europe.
All eyes will be on Belgian runners who performed so well at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Belgrade.
Jeroen D’Hoedt, who finished 4th in Belgrade, just inches behind bronze medal winner Andy Vernon of Great Britain, leads the Belgian delegation in the 9km course, with Bashir Abdi, Abdelhadi El Hachimi, Koen Naert and Lander Tijtgat also present.
Strong opposition is expected from French, German, Italian and Spanish contenders and of course from Ethiopia’s Aweke Ayelew who won the race last year, and his fellow countrymen Burhan Nebebew, winner of the Cross Ouest-France last weekend.
The assault on the women’s senior title will be fought by Almensch Belete, Veerle Dejaeghere and Veerle Van Linden of Belgium who will compete over 6km.
To add to the excitement, Dejaeghere is leading the Lotto Crosscup standings, but Belete is not far behind having won the last two events in Roeselare and Brussels. They will both be challenged by Ethiopian runner, Birthukan Adamu, second last year in Hannut and who is eager to go one up this year.
Thousands of participants are expected to compete throughout the day, with races open to the general public.