The 2026 NSW State Cross Country Championships were held on Saturday June 20th at Willandra. Nowra had 23 representatives across the Championship events.
In the youngest age group, the 7 years 1km event, Henry Giumelli had a great run for 5th place in 4.32. Hamish Bennett also ran well for 9th in 5.14.
In the 8 years 1km race, new member Sienna Dowling stopped the clock under 5 minutes for 9th place in 4.59 whilst Lani Parmenter, wearing her lucky number 16, ran in 14th in 5.11.
Hallie Browne put in a great effort for 7th place in a time of 6.43 in the 9 years 1.5 km event. Likewise Zayne Taylor had a great run in this age group, placing 6th in 6.19.
Atlas Bailie clocked a PB of 11.52 in the 11 years 3km event, placing 24th. Also contesting the 11 years event was Ivy Donougher who finished 34th in 13.07, and right behind her was Piper Browne in 35th place with 13.08
Chelsea Corbridge put in a gutsy effort in the 12 years 3km event, placing 34th in 14.31. Finn Goddard showed great form, despite being unwell, to place 9th in the 12 years boys race clocking 10.29 and Declan Bennett was 29th in 11.48.
In the 14 years 4km race Macca Davis was 31st in 15.17 and Will Heffill was 37th in 18.00.
Lana Crawford ran well in the 15 years 4km race, finishing just outside the top ten in 11th place in 16.05. In the same race Madeline Oke was 16th in 16.20.
Lily Sproule earned herself an automatic place on the State Cross Country team with her 6th place in the 17 years 4km event in the time of 16.03.
In the Under 20 female event, Emily McLaren ran the 6kms in 27.16 for 24th place whilst in the male event, Hamish McLaren clocked 31.06 over 8kms in 23rd place.
Harrison Baxter had a fantastic run in the very competitive Open 10km race, placing 10th in 33.56.
This year Nowra had just 2 masters runners competing. Scott Armstrong ran well for 7th place in the 55-59 years 8km event whilst Gavin Dyball unfortunately had to withdraw halfway through.
Running for Shoalhaven Little Athletics Centre, Owen Jones contested the 10 years 2km event and placed 21st in 9.01 and Heath Trewin won the 9-10 Years Para 1.5km race in 7.05, proudly claiming the state title.
In the Fun Run events, numbers for Nowra were small but the competitors put in mighty efforts.
Lani Parmenter backed up after her morning’s effort, to run the 1km event taking 1st place in 5.51. Ayla Parmenter was 2nd in 7.24. Will Sprule missed the 1km turnaround so ended up running 2kms, finishing in 10.10. Pete Dooley wasn’t far behind in 10.25 and Ellie Cooper was 12th in 13.06.
Matt Reid had a blistering run in the 4km event, taking 2nd place overall in 15.43 behind representative runner Jaylah Hancock-Cameron.
Sam Keogh finished the 4kms in 21.34 and Angela Bond, backing up after Park Run clocked 22.39.
Congratulations to everyone!