Eurocross

{{Infobox athletics race

| bgcolour = #BEF781

| image = Diekirch sauer.jpg

| imagesize = 220px

| caption = The Sauer river which is adjacent to the Eurocross course

| date = February

| location = Diekirch, Luxembourg {{flagicon|Luxembourg}}

| type = Cross country

| distance = 10.2 km for men
5.3 km for women

| est = 1969

| homepage = [http://www.celtic.lu/mmp/online/website/content/events/24/510/index_FR.html Eurocross]

}}

Eurocross is an annual international cross country running competition which takes place in Diekirch, Luxembourg in February. It is one of the IAAF permit meetings which serve as qualifying events for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.[http://www.iaaf.org/cros10/results/index.html IAAF Cross Country Permits] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309042859/http://www.iaaf.org/cros10/results/index.html |date=March 9, 2010 }}. IAAF (2010). Retrieved on 2010-02-12. It is sponsored by the ING Group.Wenig, Jorg (2012-02-13). [http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/CROS12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=63563 Korir and Belete take victories at Diekirch Cross Country]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-02-13.

First held in 1969, Eurocross is organised by the local athletics club (Celtic) and the course follows near the Stade Municipal in Diekirch.Wenig, Jörg (2007-02-09). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=37520.html Defending champions Mohamed and Hahn back in Diekirch Eurocross - Preview]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.[http://www.celtic.lu/mmp/online/website/content/events/24/505/file_50/parcours-28kbyte.jpg Route]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Celtic Diekirch. Retrieved on 2010-03-01. There are two major races: a 10.2 km race for men and a 5.3 km race for women. In addition to these primary competitions, there are races for runners of various youth levels, as well as a popular, mass race for amateurs.[http://www.celtic.lu/mmp/online/website/content/events/24/504/index_FR.html Horaire / Zeitplan]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Celtic Diekirch. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.

The course follows a steep incline up a hill on a stepped dirt path,Hendrix, Ivo (2005-02-14). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=28529.html Sultan Khamis Zaman beats a strong field in the Diekirch Eurocross]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-01. which then loops back on to downhill section.Hendrix, Ivo (2009-02-13). [http://www.iaaf.org/CROS09/news/newsid=49298.html Sandell-Hyvärynen and Sigei favourites in Diekirch Eurocross]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-01. The race takes place over a number of laps thus the uphill and downhill sections can make for a particularly difficult cross country course.Hendrix, Ivo (2008-02-18). [http://www.iaaf.org/WXC08/news/kind=100/newsid=43445.html Dejaeghere the dominant winner at Diekirch Eurocross]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.Wenig, Jörg (2007-02-12). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/newsid=37572.html Sultan Khamis Zaman and Veerle Dejaeghere win Diekirch Eurocross]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.

The main races typically attract international-calibre athletes from Europe and Africa. Past men's winners include IAAF World Cross Country Championships medallist Josephat Machuka and European Championships medallists Mustafa Mohamed and Carsten Jørgensen. The women's side has featured Gabriela Szabo (an Olympic and world champion), 1993 World Cross Country champion Albertina Dias and Dorcus Inzikuru, a steeplechase world champion. The Eurocross typically gives out over US $12,500 in total prize money for each meeting.Civai, Franco & Gasparovic, Juraj (2009-02-28). [https://www.arrs.run/HP_DiekirchXC.htm Eurocross 10.2 km (men) + 5.3 km (women)]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.

The 2010 race, which was the 40th edition of the competition,Hendrix, Ivo (2010-03-01). [http://www.iaaf.org/CROS10/news/newsid=55709.html Nkuzimana and Mimi Belete the strongest in Diekirch]. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-01. was held simultaneously with the 94th Luxembourg national cross country championships.[http://www.celtic.lu/mmp/online/website/content/events/24/504/index_FR.html Events]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Celtic Diekirch. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.