The Oeiras International Cross Country (''

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

: Crosse Internacional de Oeiras'') is an annual

cross country running Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain such as dirt or grass. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open cou ...

competition that takes place in Oeiras,

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

. Established in 2000, 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 World Athletics Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Formerly held annually and organised by World Athletics (formerly the IAAF), it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the Int ...

. The Oeiras Cross Country has featured athletes such as

Kenenisa Bekele Kenenisa Bekele ( om, Qananiisaa baqqalaa; am, ቀነኒሳ በቀለ; born 13 June 1982) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner. He was the world record holder in both the 5000-metre and 10000-metre from 2004 (5,000m) and 2005 (10,000m) unti ...

Paul Tergat Paul Kibii Tergat (born 17 June 1969) is a Kenyan former professional long distance runner. He became the first Kenyan man to set the world record in the marathon in 2003, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished l ...

Gebregziabher Gebremariam Gebregziabher Gebremariam (born September 10, 1984 in Tigray) is a retired Ethiopian long-distance runner. He established himself at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, winning the junior title in 2002 and two silver medals in the senio ...

and

Felix Limo Felix Limo (born 22 August 1980) is a Kenyan former long-distance runner, who specialized in the marathon. Limo held the 15 Kilometres road running world record from November 2001 to November 2010, where he lost the record to Leonard Komon. Limo ...

. 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 The European Cross Country Championships is an annual international cross country running competition. Organised by the European Athletic Association, it is the area championships for the region and is held in December each year. The championship ...

. The men's race is 9 kilometres long, while the women's race is held over 5 km. 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. The course in Jamor is adjacent the

Estádio Nacional The Estádio Nacional (English: National Stadium), also known as National Stadium Sports Complex ( pt, Complexo Desportivo do Estádio Nacional) and as ''Jamor Sports Complex'' ( pt, Complexo Desportivo do Jamor), is a national football stadium ...

, the home ground of Portugal's national football team, and is the same circuit that was used for the

1997 European Cross Country Championships The 4th European Cross Country Championships were held at Oeiras Municipality, Portugal, Oeiras in Portugal on 14 December 1997. Danish orienteering, orienteer Carsten Jørgensen took the title in the men's competition and Joalsiae Llado won the wo ...

and the men's 1999 European Club's Cross Country Cup in 1999.Campo a Través - Temporada 2002/2003

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(2003). Retrieved on 2009-11-22. It is a long and hilly course which features a green, scenic setting.Fernandes, António Manuel (2006-11-12)
Inzikuru and Kamais dominate IAAF XC in Oeiras
IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. The competition is organised by the same group which sets up the

Lisbon Half Marathon EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is an annual international half marathon competition which is contested every March in Lisbon, Portugal. It carries IAAF Gold Label Road Race status. The men's course record of 57:31 was set by Jacob Kiplimo in 2021, whi ...

and the

Portugal Half Marathon Luso Portugal Half Marathon or Luso Meia Maratona de Portugal is an annual half marathon contested every October in Lisbon, Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose ...

– the Maratona Clube de Portugal.Fernandes, António Manuel (2009-11-19
Gebremariam tops the field in Oeiras - preview
IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. The race has previously been broadcast live on television and attracts over 600 runners for the senior races annually.Costa, Paulo (2003-11-13)
Malot aims for third title in Oeiras
IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22. The competition has been sponsored by a number of patrons over its short history, including:

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Sport Zone Sport pertains to any form of competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to spectators. Sports can, th ...

, Banco Português de Negócios, Energias de Portugal and Finibanco.An impressive Bekele smashes opponents
IAAF (2002-11-17). Retrieved on 2009-11-22.Costas, Paulo (2003-11-16)
Bekele wins but is closely shadowed by Kigen
IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.

Past senior race winners

Key:

References

External links

Official website
{{IAAF Cross Country Meetings Cross country running competitions Athletics competitions in Portugal Recurring sporting events established in 2000 2000 establishments in Portugal Cross country running in Portugal Annual sporting events in Portugal