Australian Cross-Country: Holly Campbell crowned Australian champion

22 August 2026

Australian Cross-Country: Holly Campbell crowned Australian champion

In difficult muddy and boggy conditions today in Ballarat, Sydney Holly Campbell was crowned Australian Cross Country champion in the women’s senior 10km event. Joining her on the podium, in third, was Jaylah Hancock-Cameron and in the men’s open 10km Luke Hince also claimed bronze.

SENIOR WOMEN 10KM

Randwick Botany’s Holly Campbell has compiled a tremendous 12 months of performances, and she was coming off recent wins in the City to Surf and Sydney Harbour 10km race. But that form meant nothing if Holly was not able to put it together on the day. And she did, with a commanding race.

The venue Victoria Park Ballarat was dry two weeks ago but heavy recent rain turn it into a very muddy course and after the traffic of hundreds of athletes it was very boggy in most sections of the course.

“It was definitely tough running out there in the conditions, as it was for everyone,” Holly noted. “I just kept reminding myself that no one has prepared to run in these conditions so it is probably going to be the strongest runner doing well and I knew I had plenty of miles in my legs so I thought I would be well suited.”

Through the first 2 km, five athletes were in the lead pack, but by 4km this was reduced to two with Tasmanian Ruby Smee the only athlete able to stay with Holly. There was now also a battle going on for the bronze between the 2022 national XC champion Georgia Hansen and NSW’s 800/1500m specialist Jaylah Hancock-Cameron.

Up front Holly started to move clear over the next kilometre, reaching 6km, six seconds ahead of Ruby.

“I started to pull away earlier than I anticipated,” Holly said. “I didn’t really pick up the pace I just felt myself maintaining, and that was enough to get a gap and I just focused staying on my feet on the last lap.”

By 8km, the lead was now 10 seconds and at the finish line a very comfortable 27 seconds.

“It was a lot of fun and I’m super happy to get the win at the National Championships today. It has taken me until I was 30-year-old and I’ve been working really hard for a while, so it’s a very special feeling to get it done.”

After bronze medals in 2023 and 2024, in 2026 Holly is the champion.

“I’m very proud to win today.”

In the battle for bronze, Jaylah Hancock-Cameron won out over Georgia Hansen 39:11 minutes to 39:48.

SENIOR MEN 10KM

Most tipped it a Victorian show down between Haftu Strintzos and Ed Marks, while NSW supporters hopped Luke Hince could match it with this pair.

It played out a little different with, Haftu, the new Australian marathon record holder, breaking away from the leaders around 5km. It left Ed Marks and Luke Hince battling for the silver and bronze medals. Through 8km, Ed led by three seconds, but they were effectively together. With 100m to go, Ed held just a two seconds margin which by the finish line he had extended to just four seconds. On another day the places could have been reversed but what is clear Luke Hince was able to mix it with the very best.

Haftu clocked 32:14, from visitor Yohanes Asmare (ETH) 32:20, Ed Marks 33:23 and Luke Hince 32:27.

24 seconds behind Luke Hince was three-time Australian 5000m championships and world championships semi-finalist Matthew Ramnsden. Next was talented Victorian duo Logan Janetzki and Matthew Buckell (3rd last year). In 7th Run Crew’s Jack Miller with 33:38.

Luke’s bronze medal matched the same achieved by his mother Lorraine Hince (nee Davis) in 1994.

David Tarbotton for NSW Athletics

Image: Holly Campbell Australian 10km champion (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)