IN the days leading up to the European Cross-Country Championships, Fiona Everard spoke of how she wanted to do herself justice in Lagoa – the Enniskeane woman did that and more.
The two-time national champion delivered a career-best performance to finish an impressive tenth individually.
Before her standout run on Sunday, Everard had finished 34th in Brussels in 2023, followed by 72nd in Turkey last year, so to break into the top ten marks a milestone moment for the Bandon AC athlete.
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‘I was thinking I had a perfect season so far so I didn’t want to overthink it too much,’ Everard says.
‘I’m delighted now. After having two years that I was disappointed with, it’s great to have a good year, and a year that shows the training I’ve done.
‘That’s what I was saying going in – I didn’t know what position I would be in, but as long as my training translated into the race I was going to be happy.’
Everard was the first Irish woman past the finish line in the senior women’s race. Finishing tenth in 25:54, the 27-year-old brought her best form to Lagoa and capped a superb cross-country season that included winning her second national senior title and the Autumn Open crown.
A sign of how far Everard has come is that she didn’t flinch in warm conditions that don’t usually suit her.
‘It was tough, really hot. The course was tough, very firm ground. Once we had hills I was kind of happy with that because I like mud and hills. When I knew it would be firm I was a bit worried, but the hills suited me,’ she says, before reflecting on her season.
‘It’s been another consistent year. Compared to last year, we just got the timing right. By the time nationals came around last year I was quite burned out, but we built up more easily this year, didn’t do anything crazy and trusted what works for me.
‘Going into races I have just felt really relaxed. I didn’t put too much pressure on myself,’ she adds, and Everard delivered in style.
Combining the results of Niamh Allen (23rd), Danielle Donegan (36th), Emily Haggard-Kearney (44th) and Mary Mulhare (50th) with Everard, the Irish women’s team finished eighth overall.
