XC Snowstorm

My heart has never been in XC. As a kid I was pushed into it weekly and I just hated it. I just couldnt understand how the other kids survived going that fast in the cold and wind and rain and snow. After being thrown into it for such a long time I can't deny my respect for those who have managed to survive all their race through the wind and cold and rain and storm. I firsthandedly witnessed how harsh and destroying a XC race can be. You are being pushed from start till finish and only the very best can conquer a top position. When I saw this photo of a XC race in Italy this weekend I couldnt help but being overwhelmed by what I saw. These athletes are used to harsh conditions but a XC snowstorm race can't be something they are used to training in. Not even to mention the african athletes who have hardly ever seen snow in their lives. Nothing but respect for these athletes who just went out there, got their running shoes and clothes on and performed with the heart of a lion and the soul of a warrior. Enjoy this extraordinary picture, with special thanks to photorun.

Where is the competition?

Surprise, surprise, who won the 15th SPAR European Cross Country Championships for men? Right, Sergiy Lebid. Again.

Lebid brought his amazing winning streak on 8 yesterday in Brussels. It was another smooth and sound victory for the Ukrainian who seems to be unbeatable when put on the grass/mud of a European cross country course. 8 wins is absolutely incredible in a competitive and fierce branch of athletics. You are truly a great competitor if you can perform at the highest level for 8 years in a row. Nothing but respect for this men. However, I wonder, where is the competition at these championships? How come the same man can win a single championship 8 times in a row without hardly being challenged? Is Lebid really such an extraordinary person that nobody on the continent can even come to his knees? Or should we just go ahead and believe the critics who insist that the European Cross Country Championships are nothing more but fast food entertainment for athletics fans in a from competition deprived period? I'm afraid the latter might be closest to the truth, and watching the 15th SPAR European Cross Country championships has unfortunately not been able to change my opinion.