On 14 December 2025 the Portuguese town of Lagoa will host the 31st edition of the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, a landmark event for cross country running in Europe. The races will take place in the coastal park Encosta do Arade and will bring together the continent’s best teams in the under‑20, under‑23, senior and mixed relay categories. This guide explores the course, the official schedule, key athletes to watch and, of course, how SnapRace can help you prepare your cross‑country training.
Lagoa and its course: a demanding route by the Atlantic
Lagoa is located in the Algarve in southern Portugal, a region renowned for its mild climate and coastal cliffs. The 2025 course is built around an artificial lake and combines natural grass, compact dirt and sandy sections. Each lap measures 1,510 metres and includes two obstacles, several undulations and a steep ascent that will test leg strength and technique. According to the technical manual, the distances are 4,450 m for the under‑20 races, 5,960 m for the under‑23 races, 7,470 m for the senior races and 5,960 m in the mixed relay.
The Algarve’s December weather is usually temperate, around 15 °C, with little rain. These conditions, combined with the varied surface, favour fast racing and pace changes. The organisers will open the course for training on 13 December from 10:00 to 12:00 and remind athletes that only those who have completed the I Run Clean anti‑doping education programme may compete, underlining the event’s commitment to integrity.
Official schedule and how to watch the races
The championships begin with a short opening ceremony at 09:00 (local time in Portugal). The under‑20 and under‑23 races will follow, then the mixed relay and the senior races. You can watch live coverage on the European Athletics website and via Eurovision Sport, with commentary available in English, French and German. Highlights will be posted later on the federation’s YouTube channel and full replays will be available the next day.
| Time (local) | Event |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Opening ceremony |
| 09:30 | U20 women’s race (4,450 m) |
| 10:00 | U20 men’s race (4,450 m) |
| 10:26 | U23 women’s race (5,960 m) |
| 11:00 | U23 men’s race (5,960 m) |
| 11:30 | Mixed relay (5,960 m) |
| 12:00 | Senior women’s race (7,470 m) |
| 12:41 | Senior men’s race (7,470 m) |
The medal ceremonies begin at 13:30 with the under‑20 athletes and continue until 14:42, when the senior men’s team podium closes proceedings.
Favourites by category and sporting highlights
With 644 athletes from 36 federations, Lagoa 2025 promises thrilling races across the board. The absence of reigning champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen opens up the men’s title fight, where Frenchman Jimmy Gressier, Dutch star Diane van Es, Turkey’s Yasemin Can and Britain’s Megan Keith stand out among the season’s in‑form athletes. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti aims to defend her women’s crown after victories in 2021 and 2022.
The mixed relay will be one of the day’s most compelling events. Portugal hopes to win its first gold with a quartet led by Isaac Nader, the world 1,500 m champion, and Salomé Afonso. They will face reigning champions Italy, France and Great Britain—teams that are traditionally strong in this format—and a Spanish squad packed with middle‑distance specialists. Tactics over the relay legs of 1,300 m, 1,510 m, 1,510 m and 1,640 m will be decisive.
In the men’s U23 race, Britain’s Will Barnicoat seeks to retain his title against Ireland’s Nick Griggs, Denmark’s Joel Ibler Lilleso, the Netherlands’ Stefan Nillessen and Norway’s Andreas Fjeld Halvorsen. The U23 women’s contest looks open, with athletes such as Megan Keith (who may step up to the senior race), Germany’s Alina Reh and Spain’s Máxima Parreño chasing the podium.
The U20 women’s race could be a swan song for Britain’s Innes FitzGerald, who is chasing a hat‑trick before moving up in age group. At 19 she has posted personal bests over 3,000 m and 5,000 m and leads a British team that has claimed 15 of the past 20 team titles. Norway’s Ada Nørholm and Germany’s Sophie Krause will challenge. The men’s U20 contest is wide open: Sweden’s Karl Ottfalk, Norwegians Håkon Moe Berg and Magnus Øyen, Turkey’s Kiyasettin Kara and the Netherlands’ Willem Renders are among the five to watch.
Training tips for mastering cross country
Running cross country requires more than a strong aerobic base. Uneven terrain and hills call for strength, stability and technique. Here are some science‑based recommendations summarised from our cross‑country training guide:
- Add strength work. Research shows that strength training reduces sports injuries by up to one‑third and improves running economy. Do 2–3 sessions per week focusing on squats, lunges, deadlifts and core exercises.
- Train on varied surfaces. Seek out parks, trails and hills to get used to changing footing. Combine easy runs with hill fartlek and pace changes.
- Fine‑tune your technique. Maintain a high cadence and short stride, look a few metres ahead to anticipate obstacles and wear trail shoes or cross spikes for extra grip.
- Manage load and recovery. Alternate hard sessions with easy runs, respect rest days and include mobility and stretching. Stay hydrated even in cool weather.
Also, plan your races well in advance, study the course and include workouts that mimic the hills and obstacles you will find in Lagoa. Cross country is an excellent foundation for your spring road or track goals.
SnapRace: your partner for training and racing
The SnapRace app lets you plan your cross‑country and road training intelligently. Our route generator helps you design runs with elevation and varied surfaces near you, and the virtual coach adapts strength and speed sessions to your level and goals. You can also share your progress with other runners, receive personalised advice and stay up to date with the latest news and races. Ready to try it? Download SnapRace and get set for the Lagoa 2025 spectacle.
Enjoyed this preview? Explore more cross‑country and running articles on the SnapRace blog, such as our comprehensive guide to the 2025 Atapuerca Cross Country, and stay on top of all the latest running news.