Champions Deliver Repeat Podium Finishes in Long Races at the 2025 Virtus World Cross Country Championships
Day two of the 2025 Virtus World Cross Country Championships delivered another thrilling showcase of endurance, strategy, and national pride as athletes took on the long-distance races in Arenzano, Liguria. With several podiums repeating from day one, the consistency and dominance of the top performers became unmistakably clear—especially in the women’s events, where Poland once again swept the podium.
Men’s II1 – 7K Long Race: Pereira Extends His Reign
Winner from Short race for Men’s II1. (L-R) Parras Alvarez Adrian, Pereira Cristiano and Martinez Garrido. Photo Credit: ANDDI
Portugal’s Cristiano Pereira proved once again why he remains one of the greatest distance runners in Virtus history. After winning yesterday’s short race, he doubled down with a commanding victory in the 7K long race, clocking 22:56—a full 20 seconds faster than Spain’s Raul Martinez Garrido, who finished in 23:16.
The fight for silver and bronze was a tight Spanish duel, with Adrian Parras Alvarez crossing just 3 seconds behind Martinez Garrido in 23:19, mirroring their strong performances from day one.
Women’s II1 – 5K Long Race: Poland Dominates Once Again
(L-R) Bodziony Anna, Barbara Bieganowska-Zajac and Wyrobek Monika on the podium of the Short and long race for II1 Women’s.
Poland cemented its status as an unstoppable force in women’s distance running. For a second consecutive day, the Polish trio claimed a clean sweep of the podium—and in the same exact order.
Five-time Paralympic champion Barbara Bieganowska-Zając once again controlled the race with authority, winning in 18:38, pulling more than 2 minutes ahead of teammate Anna Bodziony (20:50). Monika Wyrobek followed closely at 21:00, maintaining exceptional consistency over both race days.
The Polish athletes’ dominance was not only technical but psychological—their pacing discipline, teamwork, and finishing strength left a clear gap between them and the rest of the field.
Men’s II3 – 7K Long Race: Italy Holds the Top Two Spots Again
(L-R) Winner from short and long race II3 Men’s: Mattone Andrea, Luca Ventureilli and Karadzhov Viktor.
Italy replicated its podium placements from day one in the II3 men’s long race, showcasing depth and control on home soil.
Luca Venturelli delivered another strong performance to take gold in 23:26, finishing nearly 8 minutes ahead of teammate Andrea Mattone (31:14). Viktor Karadzhov of Bulgaria crossed in 33:22, securing bronze for the second time this weekend.
Men’s II2 – Long Race: Spanish Trio Shows Remarkable Consistency
Spanish Men celebrate after their medal ceremony for the short race. (L-R) García Aguirrezabal Mikel, Castaño Castro José Nicolás y Núñez Pujadas Álvaro.
The II2 long race also repeated the exact same podium as day one, with Spain demonstrating exceptional unity and pace strategy. José Nicolás Castaño Castro dominated again, this time with a finishing time of 14:46—maintaining a 30-second lead over Mikel García Aguirrezabal (15:16). Álvaro Nuñez Pujadas completed the Spanish sweep, finishing in 16:17.
Their performance confirms Spain as the strongest nation in the II2 category this year.
Team Competition – II1 Men’s Long Race
Spain’s collective excellence over the long-distance course earned them the team gold, followed by Portugal and France.
From Portugal’s brilliance, to Italy’s home-ground resilience, to Spain’s unified strength—and above all, Poland’s phenomenal dominance in women’s racing—day two of the 2025 Virtus World Cross Country Championships delivered unforgettable performances.
Arenzano once again proved to be the perfect host for athletes who continue to elevate the standards of international competition.
