Ilona Mononen Shines in Fierce European Championships Medal Race
In a thrilling display of athleticism and determination, Ilona Mononen has secured a silver medal in the under-23 category at the Cross-Country European Championships, held over a challenging six-kilometer course.
From the outset, Mononen positioned herself among the leading pack of about seven competitors, maintaining a poised stride as they quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the field. It wasn’t long before the 21-year-old runner from Lahti found herself in a head-to-head battle with Spain’s Maria Forero. As they neared the third lap, the two athletes created a clear divide, with the tension palpable as Mononen steadfastly kept pace.
In the final lap, Forero made a push to dislodge Mononen from the chase. But the Finnish athlete held her ground, displaying extraordinary grit. However, as they approached the final stretch, just under half a kilometer from the finish line, Forero managed to break free, ultimately crossing the finish first and clinching the gold medal after an intense struggle.
Mononen, who had previously earned a bronze medal at last year’s Championships in Lagoa, Portugal, and silver two years ago, is not only a fierce competitor but also a remarkable talent on the rise. As she approaches her 22nd birthday next week, she bids farewell to her junior years, having amassed an impressive tally of seven youth medals across cross-country, track, and Universiade events.
In recent summers, Mononen has made a name for herself in the steeplechase, where she holds the Finnish record for women with an impressive time of 9:23.28, a performance that secured her sixth place in the European Championships final in Rome. Moreover, she claimed gold in the under-20 European Championships for the flat 3000 meters, further solidifying her status as a formidable athlete.
Results: Under-23 Women’s Final
- Maria Forero (ESP) – 19:59
- Ilona Mononen – 20:04
- Pia Schlattmann (GER) – 20:23
Looking forward, the under-23 men’s competition is set to kick off in Portugal at 1:00 p.m., with Finland’s Mikko Kauppinen ready to make his mark. Following his race, the men’s event will feature Finnish athletes Mustafa Muuse, Tuomas Heikkilä, and Ossi Kekki, scheduled for a 2:41 p.m. start.
This story was updated on December 14 at 12:50 p.m. to correct the distance of Mononen’s race to six kilometers.