The 2021 European 10,000m Cup will return to Highgate, London on 5 June when Europe’s leading distance runners and Great Britain’s foremost club runners will toe the start-line for a full day of racing at the Parliament Hill Athletics Track.
This will be the third time the European 10,000m Cup has been held in conjunction with the Night of the 10,000m PBs, the popular and free-to-attend grassroots event which was founded in 2013 to promote and showcase long distance running in Great Britain.
The Night of the 10,000m PBs was the stage for the British Olympic Trials in 2016 before the European element was added to the event in 2018 when the European 10,000m Cup was incorporated into the programme.
After a wholly successful initial collaboration, European Athletics extended the contract with British Athletics and local club Highgate Harriers at the end of 2018 which would keep the European 10,000m Cup in London until 2020.
The 2020 edition did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic but Europe’s finest long distance runners will head to Highgate again next June in search of individual and team honours in the context of the European 10,000m Cup as well as qualifying times for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“Since 2018 our collaboration with the Night of the 10,000m PBs and British Athletics has been mutually beneficial and we are all looking forward to returning to London next year. This is a hugely important event not only for elite distance runners across Europe but also for the local running community who are the backbone of this event,” said interim European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov.
He added: “The organisers have taken the European 10,000m Cup to another level by showcasing long distance running in an innovative and attractive format for both fans and athletes. I am sure everyone will be looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us next year.”
Night of the 10,000m PBs race director Ben Pochee is looking forward to welcoming the distance running fraternity back to the Parliament Hill Athletics Track next June.
He said: “The Night of the 10,000m PBs was created on the premise of celebrating our sport and given the impact of Covid-19 we are so excited to cordially invite you to our 2021 running festival on Saturday 5 June.
“In these unprecedented times I’m hugely grateful to our partner and volunteer support ensuring we can confirm Olympic Trials and European 10,000m Cup status. So mark your calendars and let’s party together to create memories for a lifetime.”
European Athletics Vice President and Event & Competition Commission Chair Cherry Alexander said: “Working with Ben and his team is great fun and the creative edge they bring to this event is very much appreciated by European Athletics and we are all looking forward to the delivery of another world class event next year.
“The Night of the 10,000m PBs is a firm favourite among British fans and we have also received wonderful feedback from many athletes who took part in the European 10,000m Cup. I am sure everyone is looking forward to returning to Highgate next year.”
At the 2019 European 10,000m Cup, Yemaneberhan Crippa won the individual title and led Italy to team gold in front of 8000 spectators while Israel’s Lonah Chemtai Salpeter successfully defended her individual title in the women’s race. Great Britain & NI came away with the women’s team title.
The Night of the 10,000m PBs more than lived up to its title last year. Eleven of the top fifteen finishers in the men’s A race came away with lifetime bests while eight of the top ten in the women’s A race also improved their personal bests. The top three women in the A race also achieved the Olympic qualifying standard of 31:25.