Pompeani and O’Donnell claim Australian Cross Country titles in wet and wild conditions

A successful 84th edition of the Australian Cross Country Championships were held at a windswept and stormy Symmons Plains Raceway in Launceston, Tasmania this weekend.

The challenging conditions were summed up perfectly by women’s champion, Leanne Pompeani.

“That was brutal and this was true cross country today.”

Pompeani won ahead of an historic medal for Tasmanian Ruby Smee, who claimed the first medal for the host State in her race for 18 years. In the men’s it was a battle throughout with three Victorian’s pushing the pace late as the mud running 2022 National champion Seth O'Donnell took his second National title.

MEN 10km (2 x 2km, 2 x 3km)

This was a terrific battle throughout the race. From the gun, a large pack formed but with neither the eventually winner, Seth O’Donnell (VIC) or favourite Haftu Strintzos (VIC) prominent. We would have to wait until deep into the race – on lap three, at about the 6km mark, before there was a clear lead group from where the medals would emerge.

O’Donnell and Strintzos had now joined Ed Marks (VIC) and Isaac Heyne (SA) as the battle was on. By the 9km mark Heyne had dropped back to fourth, while up front O’Donnell and Marks were in the gold medal hunt with Strintzos looking to have locked up the bronze. At the finishing tape, it was O’Donnell ahead of Marks by just one second – 33:19 minutes to 33:20, with Strintzos close in 33:26 taking the bronze, while Heyne was fourth in 33:35.

O’Donnell had won his second Australian title (following his win in 2022 in Oakbank in SA), on largely an identical muddy course. However, the post-race interview revealed that O’Donnell was lucky to even make the start line.

“A couple of weeks ago I didn’t think I would even be here, so competing is a blessing,” he said. “After the recent Half Marathon on the Sunshine Coast I had some heart problems and I’ve been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks and I’ve been trying to get on top of that. I’m grateful to many people who have helped me just get to the start line so I’m wrapped,” O’Donnell said. Immediately after the race he embraced his biggest support his mother.

In the teams battle, Victoria were clear winners on 15 points ahead of NSW 33 pts) and QLD (44 pts).

WOMEN 10km (2 x 2km, 2 x 3km)

In the women’s event a large pack ran together for the first half of the race before favourite, Leanne Pompeani put the foot down.

“It was sort of the plan to go with the group for half or maybe 6km, then to make a definitive move,” Pompeani said.

Initially Holly Campbell went with her, but over the last 2km, it would be Hobart’s Ruby Smee who would mount the major threat, finishing within 16 seconds at the finish.

“At the end I was closing the gap but didn’t realise it,” Smee said.

Pompeani clocked 38:19 minutes for the 10km event, while Smee ran 38:35 for second with Holly Campbell third in 38:52.

Pomeani found the going tough.

“The conditions are like what you see in European cross country races. The wind was picking up each lap and on the last lap I felt like I was not even moving at all.”

But the inform Canberran has been progressing well recently after five months injury in late 2023.

“I feel like I’m finding form now and there are plenty of things to come.”

Ruby Smee’s plan seemed ideal for the tough conditions.

“I didn’t go out too hard and felt fine during the race

She ran way above expectations.

“Looking at the start list it was definitely a strong field and great to see the event in Tasmania attracting a good field,” Smee said. “I thought top-8 would be great, maybe fifth.”

Smee, who has just recently graduated from college in America and is deciding what direction she will take next, appreciated the local encouragement.

“It was really special to receive the support of the Tasmanian athletics community during the event.”

In the teams race, NSW held off Victoria 23 to 33 points, with ACT third on 44.

MEN PARA 3km

Second last year in the men’s under-20s, Aaron Houston (NSW) graduated to the open race this year and claimed gold in a time of 11:35 minutes. Last years open winner, Kyle McIntosh (NSW) was third across the line, but a close second on percentages to Aaron clocking 11:43 with the percentages 32.45% for Houston and 32.09% for McIntosh.

WOMEN PARA 3km

Second place last year, Victorian Georgia Powning moved one step up the podium to take gold in the open women’s Para 3km event, clocking 14:29 minutes and with a winning percentage of 30.39%.

MIXED Relay Championships
105 mixed teams lined up in the eight event competition in ages: open, U12, U14, U16, U18, U20 and Masters 40y, 50y and 60y. 
Sydney University dominated the open mixed team relay placing two teams on the dais. The team of Ben Bishop, Kristen Cook, Lachlan Townsend and Sophie Gocher clocked 30.57 to defeat Sydney-based squad Up and Running 31:27. Sydney Uni’s second team placed third with 32:11, just ahead of University of WA.

Full results from both days of competition can be found via Roster Athletics. Day one here, Day two here.

David Tarbotton, Athletics Australia