With only 250 days to go for the 2009 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, the Local Organising Committee have preparations in full swing.

The event, set to take place on December 13 in Santry Dublin, is the next major cross country fixture on the international calendar following the World Cross Country Championships in Amman last weekend. Reigning European Champion Hilda Kibet of the Netherlands once again stamped her superiority among European athletes finishing sixth (26.43), while the Portuguese women dished out a stellar performance to clinch the team bronze medal. They will be once again be the favourites to win in December in another 250 days.

However the favourites can expect stiff challenge from local athletes, led by European bronze medalist Mary Cullen and national Half Marathon record holder Martin Fagan. Both are specifically aiming for Dublin following their recent good from.

Cullen finished second at the Great Ireland Run clocking 32.25 while Fagan finished behind Rui Silva and Paul Tergat for the third spot (28.47) despite a niggling injury. Fagan broke the long standing half marathon record last month in The Hague with a time of 1.00.57.

Traditionally, the event attracts athletes from over 30 European countries and over 20 million TV viewers, but LOC director Liam Hennessy is confident that the attractiveness of the city and the strategic location of the course will enable Dublin 2009 sets a new record for participation.

He also commended all the members of the Local Organising Committee for their remarkable service in the run-up to the Championships in December.

Liam Hennessy said: "Now that we have reached the 250 days to go mark it is gratifying that all the strict timelines set by the Local Organising Committee have been met to date. For this I would like to thank all the LOC members and their individual teams for all their hard work."

Further information including the event programme for Sunday, the December 13th, please visit the official LOC website www.dublin2009.ie