Fiona Everard Optimistic About Progress in Irish Women’s Running

The Irish women’s distance running scene faces a critical moment as the European Cross Country Championships take place in Lagoa, Portugal, this weekend. While expectations for medals primarily rest with the men’s team, there are emerging signs of improvement among the women, as highlighted by national cross country champion Fiona Everard.

In the past five years, Ireland has secured ten medals at the European Cross Country Championships, with only one, a senior team bronze, coming from the women’s side in 2022. The absence of notable runners like Sarah Healy and Fionnuala McCormack this weekend has drawn attention to the lack of depth in the women’s field. Prominent athlete and commentator Sonia O’Sullivan noted in a recent column, “Irish women have been nowhere near 15 minutes (for 5000m) in over 20 years,” emphasizing a pressing need for improvement.

Despite these challenges, Everard remains hopeful. “I think we are definitely getting there,” she stated. She attributes this progress to the support from Athletics Ireland, which has included altitude training camps and guidance from Mark Keneally, the Endurance Lead. “There are a lot of us coming on and we are seeing the benefits, but I think it does just take a while. With running, you need to build years on years to see that improvement.”

Everard Leads the Team with Renewed Confidence

At 27 years old, Everard will lead the Irish senior women’s team after winning the national title in challenging conditions in Derry last month. Her victory marked a comeback, reclaiming a title she first won two years ago. In her previous appearances at the Euro Cross, she finished 34th in 2021 and 72nd in 2022. She sees this championship as a chance to make a meaningful impact for Irish women in distance running.

“I’d like to think we can get there, especially as a team,” Everard expressed. Reflecting on the strength of past European teams, she hopes to inspire a resurgence in performance. “When I was younger, looking at the European teams, they were always so strong and producing great results. It would be nice to think we could make an impact and get back to that.”

This year, Everard relocated back to her home in Enniskeane, County Cork, after completing her studies in Galway. Embracing a full-time athlete lifestyle, she acknowledges that this shift has significantly aided her training. “It was never going to be long-term, but I’ve seen over the last few months – it is a really big help,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of recovery and dedicated training time.

She trains remotely under coach Matt Lockett and regularly joins Donie Walsh‘s team at Leevale AC for sessions. Among her training partners is Niamh Allen, who achieved a commendable 10th place at the Euro Cross last year. Although Everard admits she is not yet at Allen’s level in training, her recent success at the national championships, where she finished 15 seconds ahead of Allen, has boosted her confidence.

After enduring a spring affected by injury, Everard has enjoyed a smoother training period leading up to the championships. She remarked on the feeling of victory at nationals this year, describing it as “definitely more relief” compared to the euphoric shock of her win in 2023.

While she does not set a specific placement goal for the race against Europe’s best, Everard is focused on delivering her best performance. “The last two years I’ve been kind of disappointed with how I’ve gotten on,” she reflected. Her aim is to perform well enough to reflect the hard work she has put into her training. “If I can do that and give it my all in that respect, then I should be happy with it.”

As the Irish women’s team heads into the championships, Everard’s determination and optimism signify a potential turning point for the future of Irish women’s distance running.