The Paris 2024 Olympics have kicked off and to celebrate, Nowra Athletics Club had an Olympic-inspired round of cross country on Saturday 3rd August.
The run at Huskisson was a fun affair with most runners proudly wearing green and gold 
. There were medals for the first three finishers, complete with a podium celebration.
. There were medals for the first three finishers, complete with a podium celebration.In the 1km, Hamish Bennett was the only competitor after finishing in 7.57. The 2km was run and won by Winter Bell in 13.22.
The 3km was contested by 7 competitors with sister duo taking the top 2 positions. Madeline Oke took the win in 12.26 followed by Olivia Oke in 15.22. Anne Boatswain claimed the 3rd podium position, crossing in 22.34. Declan Bennett was 4th in 15.28 followed by Emerson Boatswain in 13.18. Peter Dooley was 6th in 13.49 and Angela Bond was 7th in 18.50.
Medium course had 5 participants. Emily McLaren took the win in 23.19 followed closely by Steve McCullagh in 23.10. Miller Bell had a good run to finish 3rd in 26.13 to take the bronze medal prize. Rounding out medium course was Eva Moeller-Duhme in 43.48 and Donna Johnson in 46.38.
Long course had the most entries with 11 athletes vying for the coveted medals. Glen Mustapic was the gold medal winner in 53.37. Elisha Bell was the silver medallist in 46.43 and Brad Sawyers took the bronze in 38.13, which was the quickest time on course.
Marty Bell was 4th in 50.47 followed by Graham Anderson in 52.03. Perry Strand was 6th in 46.51, then Rebecca Cooper was 8th in 54.52 and Scott Johnson, repping the Australian singlet, was 8th in 52.09.
Glenn Sansom was 9th in long course, clocking 53.43 and Rob Oke was 10th in 53.22. Completing the field in 1.00.48 was Erich Moeller-Duhme, also proudly supporting the Australian uniform for green and gold round.
It was a great way to celebrate the Olympic spirit.