Australian distance runners to chase gold in Ballarat

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics

Ballarat will be the heartbeat of Australian distance running this weekend as over 1600 athletes descend upon Victoria Park for the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships, with hopefuls from around the country primed for their shot at national glory.

The pinnacle event of the Chemist Warehouse Winter Series, the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships are proudly supported by the Victorian Government and City of Ballarat, shaping up as a two-day celebration of Australia’s rich distance running culture in “The Golden City”.

The country’s top distance talents will lead the charge at the business end of proceedings with the rising duo of Edwards Marks (VIC) and City2Surf winner Bronte Oates (NSW) staking their claims for favouritism, as Jenny Blundell (NSW) brings Olympic credentials to the weekend featuring a host of athletes who have competed at the highest level of the discipline – the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.

One of those is athletes Georgia Hansen (VIC) who has proven she has what it takes to win an Australian Cross Country title as the 2022 champion, while Marks is chasing the final step in his podium progression after bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024.

Further title contenders include World Cross Country representatives Andre Waring (VIC) and Zach Facioni (VIC), but the national stage is where stars are born and athletes like Ruby Smee (TAS) are more than capable of announcing themselves over 10 gruelling kilometres of cross country warfare.

Attracting competitors from Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands by doubling as the Oceania Cross Country Championships, the international affair is expected to be well supported – especially by Ballarat’s own.

Marathon legend Steve Moneghetti landed Ballarat on the map in the running world throughout his rise to prominence in the 1990’s; a legacy that lives on as FISU World University Games representative Ben Ludbrook (VIC) prepares to race in his hometown.

“This weekend is going to be a special moment for me getting to lace up the spikes in my hometown at a location where a large amount of my training is,” Ludbrook said.

“Having a national championship in Ballarat has been something I have imagined since my first Australian Cross Country Championships back in 2016 and for it to be finally happening is surreal.

“After one of my better seasons, the main focus for this weekend is to challenge myself and finish as high up in the field as I possibly can against some of the country’s best distance runners.”

With over 1200 interstate entries and competitors ranging from the ages of 10 to 83, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulous said the Victorian Government was proud to host the nation’s top distance runners in the heart of regional Victoria at Victoria Park, the ultimate stage for long distance running.

“The Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships is an iconic event for athletes and I’m proud to see Ballarat will host it for the next three years.”

“We are proud to back events like these because they showcase everything this magnificent part of regional Victoria has to offer, boosting local communities and businesses.”

The Para races over 3km will see Paralympians Michael Roeger (SA) and Annabelle Colman (VIC) extend their range from the track to the Ballarat terrain, while the junior action will take place from the Under 11 ranks through to the Under 20 bouts where Tessa Ebert (SA) and Charles Barrett (VIC) will look to add their names to a long list of Australian junior champions.

Ballarat will also host the Australian Junior Race Walking Championships on Sunday morning, headlined by rising star Isaac Beacroft (NSW) who has already made his mark on the world stage – winning global gold at the World Athletics Race Walking Teams Championships in 2024. The Mixed 4x2km Relays and The Golden 5km provide something for everyone across the blockbuster weekend as Ballarat becomes a hub of Australian distance running, proudly supported by the Victorian Government and City of Ballarat, taking place from August 23-24.

More information including entry lists and timetables for all events can be found below:

Australian Cross Country Championships (August 23)

Australian Cross Country Relays (August 24)

Australian Athletics Junior Race Walking Championships (August 24)

The Golden 5km (August 23)