| Oeiras International Cross Country | |
|---|---|
 The Oeiras course is run near the Estádio Nacional | |
| Date | Mid-November |
| Location | Oeiras, Portugal |
| Event type | Cross country |
| Distance | 9 km for men 5 km for women |
| Established | 2000 |
| Official site | Oeiras Cross Country |
The Oeiras International Cross Country ( Portuguese: Crosse Internacional de Oeiras) is an annual cross country running competition that takes place in Oeiras, Portugal. Established in 2000, [1] it is usually held in mid-November and is traditionally the first competition of the IAAF's cross country season, which culminates each year in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. [2]
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The Oeiras Cross Country has featured athletes such as Kenenisa Bekele, Paul Tergat, Gebregziabher Gebremariam and Felix Limo. [3] The race can be of high importance to Portuguese athletes as the results are often used to decide the national squad for the European Cross Country Championships. [4] [5] The men's race is 9 kilometres long, while the women's race is held over 5 km. [6] In addition to the professional senior races, there are also a number amateur races, including shorter cross country races for children, as well as junior and veteran races. [7]
The course in Jamor is adjacent the Estádio Nacional, [8] the home ground of Portugal's national football team, [9] and is the same circuit that was used for the 1997 European Cross Country Championships and the men's 1999 European Club's Cross Country Cup in 1999. [10] [11] It is a long and hilly course which features a green, scenic setting. [12] The competition is organised by the same group which sets up the Lisbon Half Marathon and the Portugal Half Marathon – the Maratona Clube de Portugal. [13]
The race has previously been broadcast live on television and attracts over 600 runners for the senior races annually. [14] The competition has been sponsored by a number of patrons over its short history, including: Vodafone, Sport Zone, Banco Português de Negócios, Energias de Portugal and Finibanco. [15] [16]
