The cross country event, which is one of only 12 IAAF permitted meets, moves to a new location in 2019.

Organisers have announced that entries are now open for next year’s Northern Ireland International Cross Country meet on January 19.

The 42nd edition of the competition takes place for the first time at the Billy Neill Centre of Excellence in Comber after Greenmount, Antrim hosted it in recent years.

Kenyan duo Timothy Cheruiyot and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi took the crowns at the final meet in Greenmount, while Fionnuala McCormack, Hugh Armstrong, Andy Vernon and Verity Ockenden were the top performing Irish and British athletes.

The event, which has been held at various venues across Northern Ireland since it began at Mallusk in 1977, attracts some of the world’s best athletes, and over its 42-year history, that has included Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, Paula Radcliffe and multi World Cross Country champion Paul Tergat.

One of the highlights of the world cross country calendar, the event forms part of the IAAF’s World Cross Country series as well as the British Athletics Cross Challenge series.

Additionally, the 2019 edition will also include the Celtic and Home Countries International and a full range of junior races from U13s to U20s.

The closing date for online entries is January 9 at 17:00 and further information along with a provisional timetable can be found here.

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