Ozbilen Wins Out

GOLD GOES TO TURKEY AGAIN AS BUTCHART AND BRITAIN BATTLE TO BRONZE

SENIOR MEN GREAT BRITAIN’S senior men had a title to defend and three of them – Andrew Butchart, Dewi Griffiths and Ben Connor – were back 12 months on from the podium-topping performances of Chia.

There had also been individual bronze medal success for Callum Hawkins to celebrate on that occasion and, in his absence this year, eyes turned towards Butchart.

As was the case in 2016, the Scot was faced with taking on a strong Turkish team, regardless of the arguments about whether or not any of their Kenyan-born athletes should be anywhere near a European championships.

As was the case in 2016, he found himself at the start line of a cross-country course which suited him down to the ground. As was the case in 2016, he felt the best plan was to make the running and hope to grind the opposition into submission, and he needed a team-mate to help him.

This time, that team-mate was Dewi Griffiths, who shot off the start line and led the field in the early stages, looking for all the world as if he was going to cap a remarkable year in fine style.