The 2025 NSW Cross Country Championships were held at the picturesque Willandra course on Saturday 21st June, on what was a perfect Winter’s day. The sun was shining and there was no wind.
Nowra had 24 athletes compete in the championship events this year, down from last year’s 29, but experienced some good results with many PB’s, an individual bronze medal and a team silver medal.
In Race 1 of the day Lani Parmenter ran the 1km course and clocked 5.15 for 6th place. In Race 2, the male 1km event, Will Sproule was also 6th, clocking a PB of 4.46.
In the 10’s 2km race, Ivy Donougher ran well, with a super strong finish, to take 13th place in a PB of 8.29. In the 11’s 3km race Finn Goddard had a great run for 4th place in a 30 second PB of 10.35 whilst Declan Bennett was 25th in 12.18.
Emerson Boatswain was 20th in the 13’s 3km race, running a strong uphill finish, to clock a PB of 12.09. Kai Thirwall and Thor Jackson both contested the 12’s 3km race. Kai was 19th in a PB of 11.11 and Thor was 32nd in 13.16. Macca Davis, after competing yesterday at his school athletics carnival, had a strong run for 23rd place in the 13’s 3km race, clocking a PB of 10.48, despite heavy legs, and William Heffill was 36th in 13.09.
Rod Rose finished on the podium in the 70-74 years category, completing the 6km course in 35.50 in 3rd place. Meanwhile Nathan Rose was 4th in the T20 Under 20 3km event, finishing in 20.41.
The Under 20 8km race was represented by 3 Nowra athletes. Harrison Baxter had a cracking run, crossing in 4th place in a PB of 26.12. Oliver Baxter was not too far behind, finishing in 6th place with a PB of 26.56 and Hamish McLaren was 23rd in 32.07.
At the same time as the Under 20 event, the masters men’s event was held. Scott Armstrong pushed through despite an injured leg, coming in 5th in the 55-59 years group, crossing the line as the 40th runner in 36.10. Perry Strand was 4th in the 60-64 years group, finishing in 37.07 as the 43rd runner. He was followed by 2 more Nowra runners. Ming Leung was next across the line, taking 6th place in the 55-59 years group in the time of 37.41 and hot on his heels was Gavin Dyball who was 8th in the 50-54 years group in 37.51. As a collective, the master’s men earned a team silver medal.
In the 14’s 4km race Lana Crawford ran well for 13th place, clocking a PB of 16.16. In the same race, Madeline Oke, backing up after a big day yesterday at an athletics carnival, was 15th, also achieving a PB, with 16.29.
Hugh Thirwall had a great run in the male 14’s 4km event, finishing 6th, in a PB of 13.57.
Evie Binney, another runner backing up from school athletics, was 22nd in the 15’s 4km race, with 17.08.
In the final race of the day, Lily Sproule had a great 4km run of a PB of 15.36 for 8th place in the 16’s event.
These Championships served as the main selection event to represent New South Wales in the 2025 Australian Cross Country Championships with the first eight athletes automatically earning themselves a place on the NSW team. Congratulations to our top 8 finishers – Harrison Baxter (4th), Oliver Baxter (6th), Finn Goddard (4th), Hugh Thirwall (6th) and Lily Sproule (8th).
In addition to the Championship events, Nowra had some runners participate in the fun run events. In the 1km fun run, Isabella Parmenter was 3rd in 5.43 and Grace Parmenter was 4th in 6.45. Greg Griffis finished 8th in the 2km run, in 11.57. In the 4km run, Scott Martin took line honours in 16.14. Peter Dooley was 6th in 19.14 and Erich Moeller-Duhme was 9th in 24.00 whilst Eva Moeller-Duhme was 7th female in the 4kms fun run in 34.24.
Well done to all the athletes who tackled the hills of Willandra in a great day of cross country running.
