Baby to Bathurst | Pashley Comeback Complete for World Cross Country Championships

From the Olympic Games to World Championships and Major Marathons, Ellie Pashley has done it all. Qualifying for 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst could appear a formality for a runner of her calibre, but doing so just seven months after giving birth means more than meets the eye.

“I am really excited for this one! It’s probably a bigger deal for me than people realise, mostly because I didn’t think it was going to happen so soon after having a baby. I have never done a home championship race or a World Cross Country before,” Pashley says.

“I have always loved cross country, I did it as a kid through primary school and high school. It’s something that I have wanted to do for years and years, ever since I started running seriously.”

With the birth of her daughter Tiggy on June 15 in 2022, Pashley went from an Australian marathoner to an Australian Marathon Mum – not to be mistaken for a step backwards. The 34-year-old who clocks upwards of 150 kilometres per week was accustomed to listening to her body as a professional athlete, but now had to listen to her body as a mum.

“When I had Tiggy I didn’t want to put any race pressure on myself because it was unknown how long the comeback was going to take. I have talked to all the marathon girls about it who have been really helpful, but it can be quite different for everyone,” Pashley says.

“It was nice to have a break from structured training after years and years of following a program every day. I still ran quite a lot in the early stages, but by the time I was ready to come back properly I was really motivated.” 

Tentatively entering the Australian World Cross Country Trials as a race to bridge the gap back to the elite level, Pashley started to make significant inroads. A nudge from coach Julian Spence was enough to instil the belief required to commit wholeheartedly to the event. 

“A month out, I definitely didn’t think I was a chance at all. I put it in as a race that I wanted to do to push me along in training but during the last week I started to think that if everything went right, I could scrape into the top six,” Pashley says. 

The uncertainty of a 10km cross country trial coupled with her return left Pashley with nothing to lose and all to gain, adopting a fearless approach in a bid to book her ticket to the World Cross Country Championships – crossing the line in sixth place. 

“There are definitely some similarities to the marathon. I felt like there were stages where that marathon strength was crucial, and where I live is pretty hilly so my training is conducive to cross country,” Pashley says. 

“I was coming eighth and I was just trying to hang on and hope that other people were hurting as much as me, maybe more. It was a game of who could pop the least.” 

The result is a fitting reward for Pashley who has made adjustments to life as an athlete to accommodate the latest addition to her family with husband Joe, completing double runs on the treadmill and answering phone calls with Tiggy crying for the attention of the 2:26 marathoner. 

“I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would to be honest! I have to run a lot earlier in the morning than I normally would and trying to fit in things like gym is a bit more challenging, but running is pretty time efficient as far as sports go,” Pashley says.

“I haven’t set an alarm for a long time, I am becoming a morning person!” 

The 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be held in Bathurst from February 17-19, for tickets and more information CLICK HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 30/1/2023