Athletics momentum to continue with winter season ahead
Published Wed 10 May 2023
With a summer season that left athletics fans cheering for more, Athletics Australia is pleased to confirm the start of an action-packed winter season, commencing this August.
Delivered in conjunction with Athletics Australia event partners, the 2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Winter Series includes road and cross country races allowing distance athletes to showcase their skills across a range of events.
The winter season will kick off on Sunday, 13th August in Queensland with the Australian Half Marathon Championships at the Sunshine Coast Marathon, before travelling south to Canberra for the Australian Cross Country Championships. With a record-breaking number of participants expected to attend following the success of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Stromlo Forrest will be buzzing with running purists vying for national glory in what is the most ‘back-to-basics’ event of the sport.
Following the cross country titles, the world-famous Sydney Marathon will host the Australian Marathon Championships, along with the recently announced Australian Age Group and Club Memberships as it looks to become part of the Abbotts World Major Marathon Series. The Australian Road Running Championships will be held in Adelaide alongside the City-Bay Fun Run.
Endurance athletes will also be in for a treat with the Australian 50km Championships held in conjunction with the Gold Coast 50 as the Australian summer begins in December. The Australian 100km Championships are also set to continue with planning currently in the works.
“Whether you’re a die-hard athletics fan or looking for a new way to stay motivated during the winter months, we invite you to join us for this winter season,” Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley said.
“As the popularity of distance running grows, so does the importance of our winter season. This year’s season will showcase all that distance running has to offer, and we encourage all athletics fans and participants alike to get themselves along to their nearest event and either get involved, or cheer on athletes as they strive to become Australian champions.”
While dates for each event have been scheduled, the calendar is subject to change. Updates can be found here.
2023 Chemist Warehouse Australian Winter Series
Australian Half Marathon (held with Sunshine Coast Marathon) - Sunshine Coast
Sunday 13th August
Chemist Warehouse Australian Cross Country Championships (in conjunction with School Sport Australia and UniSport Australia) - Stromlo Forrest, Canberra
Saturday 26th August
*NB: Trials for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be held separately as part of the Australian Summer of Athletics.
Australian Marathon Championships (held with the Sydney Marathon) – Sydney
Sunday 17th September
Chemist Warehouse Australian Road Running Championships (held with the City-Bay) – Adelaide
Sunday 17th September
Chemist Warehouse Australian 50km Championships (held with the GC50) - Gold Coast
Sunday 3rd December
Australian 100km Championships – To be confirmed
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 10/5/2023
