Photos by Fred Etter
Former local Aaron Spiessberger-Parker has claimed the 124th NSW cross country title, at Willandra, near Nowra on the NSW south coast.
The titles were held on what is widely regarded as Australia’s best cross country course, the immaculately curated, but hilly and technically challenging course on family farm of Rod and Jan Gibb. Saturday was the 30th occasion that it has hosted a NSW title, having also been the venue of the Australian Cross Country Championships in 1992, 1994 and 2009.
The men’s 10km race was one in four, with evergreen Ben St Lawrence, Joshua Johnson, Luke Hince and Spiessberger-Parker making the running from the early stages. In fact, it wasn’t until a strong move in the last kilometre that Speissberger-Parker broke away from St Lawrence for victory, denying the former Australian 10000m record his maiden NSW cross country title.
Speissberger-Parker, now Canberra-based but running for Bankstown Sports Athletics Club, won by six seconds in 31:56 from St Lawrence, with teenager Luke Hince third in 32:20. 
The women’s race saw Paige Campbell score a 15 second victory from South Africa’s Aynslee Van Graan in a time of 36:18. 21-year-old Jessica Noble took bronze in 37:02, holding off a fast finish from Irish 1500m champion, Niamh Allen, who was just two seconds behind.
The world junior bound duo of Laura Roderick and Patrick Cantlon took out the junior events, but in contrasting styles. 
Roderick overcame a wrong turn while in the lead that saw her fall 80 metres behind, to the 6km race by just a second from Shayne Hargreaves in 22:03. Sarah Schiffmann was third in 22:34. Roderick will run the 5000m at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia in August. 
Cantlon was in control of his race, surging away from the lead pack that included Cameron Gorman and Bailey Habler with two kilometres of the 8km race remaining, claiming a 13 second victory in 26:06. Gorman took silver, while Logan Campbell finished strongly to claim bronze in 26:45. Cantlon has been selected to run the 1500m and 3000m at the World U20 Championships.
Photo Gallery
A collection of over 750 photos from the event are available courtesy of Fred Etter.
Free high resolution downloads when you subscribe to our mailing list. 
Need spikes?
From $9.99 with fast & free delivery Australia-wide.
Latest posts:
- Inside Track: Weekly Recap (30 July 2025): From Moscow Memories to Tokyo Tests
In this edition of Inside Track, we revisit the athlete-led fight that kept Australia in the 1980 Olympics, learn of Darren Clark’s rise, fall and redemption, unpack the financial fallout rocking Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league, and look ahead to the World Championships with new eligibility rules making waves. Plus, a 16-year-old Japanese sprinter breaks… Read more: Inside Track: Weekly Recap (30 July 2025): From Moscow Memories to Tokyo Tests - Australia Strikes Gold at World University Games
Australia’s track and field squad delivered a standout performance at the 2025 FISU World University Games, finishing atop the athletics medal table after a golden final day in Bochum, Germany. With five golds, two silvers and three bronzes across seven days of competition, it was the Australia’s most successful World University Games campaign, and a… Read more: Australia Strikes Gold at World University Games - Ed Marks streaks to victory at Lakeside10
Ed Marks continued his exceptional road form with a dominant win at the 2025 Lakeside10, clocking 28:55 to take out the men’s title in a fast and deep field. Backing up recent strong performances, including a runaway win at the Victoria Cross Country titles in Ballarat and a slick 13:54 performance at the Lakeside5, Marks proved once again… Read more: Ed Marks streaks to victory at Lakeside10 - Leanne Pompeani wins Harbour 10 amid Sydney Marathon preparations
Leanne Pompeani added another win to her resume on Sunday, claiming victory in the women’s 10K at the 2025 Real Insurance Harbour 10, just five weeks out from her biggest challenge yet — the TCS Sydney Marathon, where she’ll line up in place of competing for Australia at the World Championships in Tokyo. Clocking 32:27, Pompeani led home… Read more: Leanne Pompeani wins Harbour 10 amid Sydney Marathon preparations - Inside Track: Weekly Wrap (23 July 2025 edition)
Welcome to the first edition of Inside Track — your curated wrap of the biggest stories in athletics from across Australia and around the globe. Each week, we’ll scan the headlines, cut through the noise, and bring you the must-read articles that matter — from record-breaking performances to governance shakeups, broadcast moves, and the latest… Read more: Inside Track: Weekly Wrap (23 July 2025 edition)
