On the eve of the 28th edition of the European 10,000m Cup, the continent’s athletes are making their final preparations. The event at La Spezia on Saturday 23 May will be the fourth time Italy has hosted the event, which promises opportunities for continental glory and fast times.
What is the European 10,000m Cup?
The Cup was first run in 1997 in Baracaldo, Spain and was known as the European 10,000m Challenge until 2005 to support the development of European distance running.
It is now firmly established as one of the continent’s most prestigious distance running events.
Unlike other individual track events, the European 10,000m Cup also places great emphasis on teamwork. While athletes compete for individual titles in both the men’s and women’s races, the pursuit of a national team title adds another layer to the competition.
Countries field multiple athletes in each 25-lap race, with team scores calculated by adding up the combined times of each country’s top three athletes. The team with the least amount of time wins the competition.
History was made like Ireland’s in last year’s race in Pasay, France Ephraim Giday and Belgium Jeanne Van Pak won the men’s and women’s titles respectively, becoming the first athletes from their countries to win the event.
Van Lent had the added satisfaction of helping Belgium secure the women’s team title in a combined time of 1:36:02.12 and France to the men’s team title in 1:24:51.35.
Where does it take place?
There is a strong resurgence in Italian distance running, led by the World and Olympic silver medalist and multiple European champion. Nadia BattoclettiEuropean half marathon and 10,000m gold medalist Yemaneberhan Kripaand: Ilias Awaniwho broke through by winning world bronze and European gold in the marathon.
All three were competing in the 2026 European Cup 10,000m.
Unfortunately, Battocletti and Crippa both pulled out of the event on Wednesday (20) due to illness and injury, leaving Awani as the main hope at the host venue at the Montagna Sports Center in the Italian port city of La Spezia.
There are strong Italian hopes in both the individual and team events on the blue-surfaced track, so it has all the makings for another festive night for the Azzurri.
Athletes across the field will also be looking for fast times to secure their places at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, which take place from 10-16 August. The main targets are the qualification criteria for Birmingham 2026;
- Men – 27:50:00
- Women – 32:00:00
To see the full article: European-Athletics.com, please go https://www.european-athletics.com/home/news/the-beginners-guide-to-la-spezia-2026-european-10-000m-cup
