Supersized Australian Cross Country Championships to hit Tasmania’s shores

This August, Australian athletics sets it sights on Tasmania, as the country’s most southern state gets set to host an unprecedented Australian Cross Country Championships for all ages, incorporating juniors to elite and through to masters participants.

Spanning the weekend of Saturday, 31 August to Sunday, 1 September, the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Cross Country Championships at Symmons Plains Raceway will see more than 2000 participants come together for a celebration of endurance, resilience and community spirit, as Athletics Australia integrates both the Australian Masters and UniSport Australia’s Cross Country Championships into the main event for the first time.

The amalgamation not only highlights Australia’s refreshed love of cross country running following the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst last year, but a pivotal shift towards building a complete participation pathway, ensuring that every stride taken is a step forward for all participants Under 11 and upwards. 

“We’re incredibly excited for this year’s edition of the Chemist Warehouse Australian Cross Country Championships as we travel to Tasmania for their first national championships since 2013,” Athletics Australia CEO, Peter Bromley said.

“Not only will the event showcase the purest version of distance running, it will bridge the gap between generations, fostering an environment where young athletes can draw inspiration from the veterans of the sport and celebrate the timeless spirit of cross country running.

“I’d like to thank Australian Masters Athletics, UniSport Australia and also the Tasmanian Government for their support in making this happen. Their collective vision will make our sport more accessible to all, and serve well our distance running fraternity.” 

UniSport Australia CEO Mark Sinderberry said the cross-pollination of experiences will also allow the next generation to see what’s possible.

“UniSport Australia are pleased to be partnering with Athletics Australia to host a university sport category within the national cross country championships to be hosted in Tasmania. With over forty universities as part of our membership base, UniSport are confident that there will be large contribution from the many university athletics and running clubs to this event.”

“In addition to this, we have a strong contingent of university students that have represented Australian universities, as UniRoos, on the world stage. Most recently, we had nine university students represent Australia at the FISU World University Cross Country Championships in Oman in mid-February.” 

Australian Masters Athletics President John Clarke said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Athletics Australia for this great event. Cross country is a really important part of the masters distance running calendar. After the fantastic experience at the World Masters Cross Country events at Bathurst 2023, our athletes are super excited about competing at the 2024 Australian Cross Country Championships in Tasmania.”

The 2024 Australian Cross Country Championships is part of the Chemist Warehouse Winter Series and is supported by the Department of State Growth through Events Tasmania. 

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 14/3/2023