This Sunday, Benfica became four-time Portuguese men’s long cross-country champions, while Sporting de Braga triumphed for the third time in a row in the women’s, benefiting from the individual successes of Miguel Moreira and Mariana Machado in the national championships, in Guimarães.
In a repeat of the podium of the last three editions of the men’s absolute competition, the ‘reds’ scored 19 points, against 23 from Sporting, second placed, and 40 from Sporting de Braga, sealing the 26th scepter without foreign athletes, unlike their rivals.
“We had five or six athletes, who, initially, were going to compete for the individual title. I highlight the good performance of our opponents, but we are at a slightly higher level and we were five stars”, assessed Pedro Leite, Benfica’s assistant technical coordinator, in statements to the Lusa agency.
On his 24th birthday, Miguel Moreira covered the 10 kilometers in 28.30 minutes and beat Ugandan Hosea Kiplangat (Sporting), second in the general classification, by five seconds, overtaking him in the final meters to succeed teammate Etson Barros, winner in 2023 in the absolute and under-23, which was seventh, at 42nd.
“Miguel Moreira did very well from the beginning, taking over the race and helping his colleagues. From the moment he was left with only his direct opponent [pela frente]did what he has been training. It’s surprising because it’s the first time [que é campeão absoluto de corta-mato longo]but it’s on a good path to letting people be surprised”, analyzed Pedro Leite.
Behind Miguel Moreira, who is also the Portuguese 5,000 meter champion, André Pereira (Benfica), third overall, at 26 seconds, and Rúben Amaral (Sporting), fourth, at 34, completed the Portuguese podium of the 101st edition of the men’s race .
Among women, Sporting de Braga reached 13th place, and third in a row, with 15 points, once again relegating Sporting to second place, with 33, while Recreio de Águeda repeated third place in 2023, with 38.
“Things went as we planned. We were aiming for the third championship, we presented ourselves with a very strong team and they were competent”, Ricardo Vale, director of Sporting de Braga, summarized to the Lusa agency.
By finishing the 58th edition of the eight-kilometer women’s competition in 25.44 minutes, behind Kenyan Grace Nawowuna (Sporting), winner in 24.59 minutes, Mariana Machado repeated the triumphs of 2021, 2022 and 2023, equaling the quartet of trophies won by Aurora Cunha , Conceição Ferreira, Manuela Simões and Jéssica Augusto.
“She was a clear favorite to win her competition and she didn’t fail. She was at her level and ran very fast. Now, we have the European Championship at the door [em Antalya, na Turquia, em 08 de dezembro] and will certainly have an excellent performance”, highlighted Ricardo Vale.
Mariana Machado, 24, was flanked on the national podium by teammates Laura Taborda and Vanessa Carvalho, who finished in third and fourth position overall, 1.19 and 1.27 minutes behind the Olympic distance runner, respectively.
The mixed relay saw its fourth distinct winner in as many editions and saw Sporting de Braga being dethroned by Benfica, who, with José Carlos Pinto, Mariana Vargem, Isaac Nader and Salomé Afonso, clocked 16.42 minutes, against 17.06 for Sporting, second place, and 18.14 from Maia, third.
The first two in the mixed relay and in the men’s and women’s sectors at the absolute and under-20 levels qualified for the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, which will be held in 2025, in Albufeira.
Inaugurated in 1911, the national long cross-country championships took place for the fourth time in Guimarães, after 1972, only in the women’s category, 2005 and 2006.
The events were focused on different levels and started in the Cidade Desportiva park, ending in the tartan of the Pista de Atletismo Gémeos Castro.
Classifications of the 101st edition of the long cross-country Nationals:
– Male seniors (10 km):
1. Miguel Moreira (Benfica), 28.30 minutes.
2. Hosea Kiplangat (Sporting), 28.35.
3. André Pereira (Benfica), 28.56.
4. Rúben Amaral (Sporting), 29.04.
5. João Pereira (Sporting de Braga), 29.06.
Clubs:
1. Benfica, 19 points.
2. Sporting, 23.
3. Sporting de Braga, 40.
Senior women (8 km):
1. Mariana Machado (Sporting de Braga), 25.44 minutes.
2. Laura Taborda (Sporting de Braga), 27.03.
3. Vanessa Carvalho (Sporting de Braga), 27.11.
4. Neide Dias (Sporting), 27.21.
5. Solange Jesus (Sporting de Braga), 27.26.
Clubs:
1. Sporting de Braga, 15 points.
2. Sporting, 33.
3. Recreio de Águeda, 38.
Benfica and Braga Dominate the Long-Cross Championships
Ah, what a thrilling day in Guimarães! Spoiler alert: the long-distance running scene in Portugal is officially on fire! This Sunday, Benfica strutted their stuff and claimed their fourth consecutive title as the Portuguese men’s long cross-country champions, while the women of Sporting de Braga didn’t just ace it; they made it three titles in a row! Is anyone taking notes? Grab your calculators, folks, because it looks like the competition is tougher than a pair of old running shoes!
Men’s Championship: Benfica Takes the Gold
In what’s starting to feel like a Netflix series that won’t end, Benfica has walked off with the men’s title once more, collecting 19 points to leave Sporting’s squad behind at 23. Sporting de Braga? Well, they were just happy to come third with a whopping 40 points. Not that they need a reminder that they left their runners at home—Benfica scooped the trophy without needing a flock of foreign athletes, while others, well, bless them, seem to be on a ‘let’s-just-wheel-in-the-expats’ plan!
Pedro Leite of Benfica, in his best motivational speaker voice, said they were “at a slightly higher level.” I mean, who wouldn’t want to be five-star when it comes to running? We’re not here just for the participation medals, mate!
And let’s talk about the real star of the show: Miguel Moreira. The man, who coincidentally was celebrating his 24th birthday, blitzed through the 10 kilometers in a jaw-dropping 28 minutes and 30 seconds. That’s quicker than my last attempt to run to the fridge before an advert break! He left a trail of talent—in this case, Ugandan Hosea Kiplangat from Sporting (28:35)—gasping for air and wondering where it all went wrong.
Women’s Championship: Sporting de Braga Reigns Supreme
Over in the women’s race, it was a snooze fest for Sporting as they failed to dethrone the splendid girls from Sporting de Braga. Not to mention, Mariana Machado, the queen of the track, secured her position with a splendid time of 25:44 minutes. Who knew running could be this exquisitely dramatic? She brushed past Grace Nawowuna (24:59) with all the fire of a flame thrower and solidified her reputation as the runner to beat!
Here’s an interesting tidbit: Mariana matched the legendary Aurora Cunha and mates, creating a veritable medal factory—not a bad way to celebrate being 24 years young, right?
Ricardo Vale from Braga couldn’t have been prouder, emphasizing that their crew was “very competent.” Competence in running? That’s like saying fish are good at swimming. Spoiler alert: they are!
Mixed Relay Shenanigans
Oh, and let’s not forget the mixed relay! A race that saw four different winners in as many editions and crowned Benfica as the new champions. As if history doesn’t repeat itself enough, they clocked in at 16:42 minutes against Sporting’s 17:06, the only thing sporting was their disappointment!
The Future Looks Bright
As these champions prepare for the European Championship in Antalya this December, they’re truly on the verge of rewriting athletic history. Mark your calendars, folks; these athletes are not just running—they’re sprinting towards greatness!
Final Points to Ponder
With the stage set and the young athletes stirring the pot, it’s clear that competition in Portuguese long-distance running is hotter than a curry at an unprepared dinner party. So whether you’re sporting the Benfica red or the Sporting de Braga colors, one thing’s for sure: grab your popcorn because this running show is just getting started!
So, Who Will Reign Next?
With all this running, it makes you wonder: Who’s up for a barbecue? After all, those runners must be hungry after all those kilometers. But seriously, what’s next for these athletes? Can Braga keep the championship win streak alive, or will Benfica come back stronger, racing past everyone to glory? Only time—and perhaps a little more training—will tell!
This Sunday, Benfica clinched their fourth consecutive title as Portuguese men’s long cross-country champions, while Sporting de Braga achieved a remarkable third consecutive victory in the women’s category. The athletes shone brightly at the national championships held in Guimarães, with individual performances that added to their teams’ successes, notably by Miguel Moreira and Mariana Machado.
In a familiar outcome reminiscent of the previous three editions of the men’s absolute competition, the ‘reds’ amassed 19 points, effectively outpacing Sporting Lisbon, who finished with 23 points, and Sporting de Braga, who ended with 40 points. This victory marked Benfica’s illustrious 26th title secured without the inclusion of foreign athletes in their lineup, setting them apart from their competitors.
“We had five or six athletes who were initially aiming for the individual title. Although I recognize the commendable performance of our rivals, we displayed a slightly elevated level, and our athletes were exceptional,” commented Pedro Leite, Benfica’s assistant technical coordinator, while reflecting on the team’s performance in statements to the Lusa agency.
On a day that marked his 24th birthday, Miguel Moreira completed the challenging 10 kilometers in an impressive time of 28:30 minutes. He managed to outpace Ugandan athlete Hosea Kiplangat from Sporting, finishing just five seconds ahead as he surged ahead in the final moments. Moreira’s victory also succeeded his teammate Etson Barros, who had achieved victories in both 2023 in the absolute and under-23 categories.
“Miguel Moreira executed his strategy exceptionally, asserting dominance early on and assisting his teammates,” Peter Leite elaborated on Moreira’s performance. “It’s remarkable for him to win the absolute title for the first time, and it certainly sets the stage for continued surprises from him.” In the men’s race, André Pereira from Benfica finished third overall, trailing Moreira by 26 seconds, with Rúben Amaral of Sporting capturing the fourth spot, 34 seconds behind the champion.
In the women’s category, Sporting de Braga secured their 13th national title and their third consecutive triumph, scoring just 15 points. This campaign successfully relegated Sporting to the second position with 33 points, while Recreio de Águeda marked their return to the podium with a score of 38 points.
“Things went according to our strategy. Our goal was to secure the third championship title, and we presented a very strong team that executed their tasks competently,” summarized Ricardo Vale, director of Sporting de Braga, in communication with the Lusa agency.
Mariana Machado completed the 58th edition of the eight-kilometer women’s competition in 25:44 minutes, finishing just behind Kenyan Grace Nawowuna of Sporting, who claimed victory in 24:59 minutes. By clinching this title, Machado mirrored the triumphs she achieved in the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, aligning herself with legends Aurora Cunha, Conceição Ferreira, Manuela Simões, and Jéssica Augusto, who also boast a collection of four trophies.
“Mariana was a clear favorite to win and delivered without fail. She performed exceptionally well, and with the European Championship approaching in Antalya, Turkey, on December 8, we anticipate even greater feats from her,” highlighted Ricardo Vale.
Mariana Machado, 24, was joined on the national podium by teammates Laura Taborda and Vanessa Carvalho, who finished third and fourth overall, with times of 27:03 and 27:11 minutes, respectively, both trailing the Olympic distance runner. The mixed relay event saw its fourth different winner in as many editions, with Benfica dethroning defending champions Sporting de Braga. The team of José Carlos Pinto, Mariana Vargem, Isaac Nader, and Salomé Afonso clocked an impressive time of 16:42 minutes, whereas Sporting claimed second place at 17:06 and Maia finished third at 18:14.
Qualification for the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in Albufeira, set for 2025, was granted to the top two finishers in the mixed relay, as well as the men’s and women’s absolute and under-20 categories. The long cross-country championships, a prestigious event inaugurated in 1911, took place for the fourth time in Guimarães, having previously been held there in 1972 for the women’s category and again in 2005 and 2006.
The competition featured different levels and started in the Cidade Desportiva park, concluding on the tartan at Pista de Atletismo Gémeos Castro. Below are the results from the 101st edition of the long cross-country nationals:
- Male seniors (10 km):
- 1. Miguel Moreira (Benfica), 28:30 minutes.
- 2. Hosea Kiplangat (Sporting), 28:35.
- 3. André Pereira (Benfica), 28:56.
- 4. Rúben Amaral (Sporting), 29:04.
- 5. João Pereira (Sporting de Braga), 29:06.
- Clubs:
- 1. Benfica, 19 points.
- 2. Sporting, 23.
- 3. Sporting de Braga, 40.
- Senior women (8 km):
- 1. Mariana Machado (Sporting de Braga), 25:44 minutes.
- 2. Laura Taborda (Sporting de Braga), 27:03.
- 3. Vanessa Carvalho (Sporting de Braga), 27:11.
- 4. Neide Dias (Sporting), 27:21.
- 5. Solange Jesus (Sporting de Braga), 27:26.
- Clubs:
- 1. Sporting de Braga, 15 points.
- 2. Sporting, 33.
- 3. Recreio de Águeda, 38.
What strategies did Benfica and Sporting de Braga employ in their intense competition for long-distance running titles this season?
Minutes, showcasing a fierce but ultimately unsuccessful challenge for their title.
The day in Guimarães may have come to a close, but the excitement in the world of Portuguese long-distance running is just heating up. With the stakes raised and the competition growing ever fiercer, athletes from Benfica and Sporting de Braga continue to set the bar high for themselves and their rivals. This season is not just about titles; it’s about forging legacies and setting new records.
With the European Championship set for December in Antalya, there’s little doubt that these athletes have their eyes firmly on the prize. Miguel Moreira and Mariana Machado are not just names in a headline; they are the faces of a new generation of athletes pushing the boundaries of endurance and speed.
As rivalries intensify and standards soar, fans can expect thrilling races in the future. The question on everyone’s lips now is: who will emerge victorious as the next challenger in this ongoing saga of athletic excellence? Only time will tell, but for fans and spectators alike, the show is guaranteed to be worth watching. Keep those running shoes laced up and your excited hearts ready—there’s certainly more to come in this high-speed drama!
