Battocletti wins 10,000m to complete European distance double

Nadia Battocletti secured the European 10,000m title with a time of 31:41.17. The victory allowed the Italian to complete a distance double at the championships, having already won the 5000m title on Tuesday. This achievement mirrors the distance double she achieved in Rome two years ago.

Battocletti used a strong final 200m, clocked at 28.17, to distance herself from the field. This late surge created a gap that her competitors could not close. Maureen Koster of the Netherlands took the silver medal in 31:45.76, finishing more than four seconds behind the winner. Jana van Lent of Belgium secured the bronze in 31:47.81, two seconds after Koster.

British runner Megan Keith led the race for significant periods, including a surge with seven laps remaining. However, she was unable to maintain the pace and finished in eighth place with a time of 32:04.81. Keith noted her disappointment with her performance in the final kilometre but expressed pride in her attempt to compete for a medal.

Keith attributed her difficulty in the closing stages to the warm conditions and the physical toll of recent competition, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where she won bronze in the 5000m. She indicated a need to review her race strategy for future events.

Other British finishers included Izzy Fry, who finished 16th in 32:37.22 following a fall during the race. Poppy Tank finished in 23rd place with a time of 34:03.99.