Double European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton finished an impressive second place at the Iris Lotto CrossCup in Brussels.

Britton faced a number of top class athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia. The lineup also included European U23 champion Jess Coulson of Great Britain, who had beaten Britton at the IAAF Cross Country race in Burgos, Spain in November.

The talented Ethiopian athlete Ruti Aga constantly pushed the pace throughout the race, with only Britton able to stay with such a fast pace. Both athletes easily moved away from the chasing pack which included Coulson, Belgium’s Almensch Belete and defending champion Caroline Chepkwony of Kenyan.

Aga then made the decisive move, breaking clear of Britton and securing the victory. Britton crossed the line in an impressive second place to cap off an extraordinary year for the Kilcoole AC athlete.

Britton’s next race will be the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country on the January 5th, followed by the Antrim IAAF Cross Country on January 12th.

Image by ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne