The 2026 NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday 11th July at the West Dapto Cross Country Course. Nowra was well represented with competitors across junior, open and masters events producing a number of impressive performances including a victory in the Para category, and several top-10 finishes.
Sienna Dowling kicked things off for Nowra in Race 1, the 8 years 800m event, finishing 11th overall and 8th in her age group in 3:55.
In Race 3, the 9 years and 9–10 years Para 1km event, Hallie Brown also finished 11th overall and was just shy of the podium, placing 4th in her age group in 4:03. Heath Trewin claimed 1st place in the Para category, crossing the line in 4:23.
Emily McLaren contested the Under 20 4km event, finishing 24th in 17:32.
Piper Browne competed in Race 7, the 11 years 2km event, placing 21st in 8:02.
Harrison Baxter took on the Open 7.5km race, running strongly to finish 13th in 24:38.
Race 11, the 11–12 years 2km event, featured three Nowra competitors. Finn Goddard was first home for Nowra, placing 6th in 6:42, while Declan Bennett finished 23rd in 7:20. Chelsea Corbridge also ran well, placing 17th in 8:29.
Josie Sproule finished 14th in the 15 years 3km event in 13:06. In the 17 years event, Lily Sproule ran well to claim 6th place in 11:11.
Scott Armstrong, Gavin Dyball and Hamish McLaren rounded out the day for Nowra in Race 17 over 4km. Hamish ran strongly to finish 11th overall and 11th in the Under 20 category in 20:44. Scott clocked 24:10 for 25th overall and was just one place short of the podium, finishing 4th in the 55–59 years category. Gavin placed 31st overall and 9th in the 50–54 years category in 25:39.
In the 2km fun run Hamish Bennett ran with great commitment, as usual, finishing in 10:58 as the 14th male overall and 13th in his age category. Ellie Cooper also competed in the 2km fun run, in between taking photos on the course, coming in 12th in her category in 11:52. Tristan Corbridge took on the 4km fun run, placing 5th in his category in a time of 18:29.
Congratulations to everyone who represented Nowra with pride.
Photos by Cooper Photography.