Irish runners face savage test in Bulgaria

Fionnuala Britton and Europe’s best distance runners face one of the most challenging courses in European Cross-Country Championship history in Bulgaria tomorrow.

Set in the Rila mountains, in the ski resort of Borovets, the course has already had to be readjusted due to some parts being deemed too dangerous.

The route opens with a bottleneck start on uneven terrain layered with a mixture of mud, gravel and sand. Add 1,350m altitude to the mix and you have a stern test.