Cover photo by Steve Christo, courtesy of Athletics Australia
Hometown hero Leanne Pompeani was the nominal favourite for the women’s selection trial for the World Cross Country Championshipsafter victory at last month’s Zatopek:10, but it was Rose Davies, who took victory. 
Davies had won the two prior editions of the Zatopek:10 meet. A slowish early pace saw a large lead pack and it was not until the final two kilometres that Davies drew away, from Pompeani, Caitlin Adams, Izzi Batt-Doyle and a spirited run from Holly Campbell. Davies ultimately crossed the line in 33 minutes, 33 seconds, with Pompeani second in 33:41 and Adams holding on for the third automatic selection by a second, with a 33:46 run. 
Batt-Doyle (33:47), Campbell (33:49) and Olympic marathon Ellie Pashley (33:55), who last year gave birth to her first child, all have strong claims for discretionary selections for the team for Bathurst.
“I’m super happy to get the win today. I’ve been focussing on this for a while,” Davies said.
“It was a slow start to the race so I saw my chance to make a move, and I just tried to hold the gap and get the win and be on this team.”
World Cross Country Trial Photo Gallery
Photo
Over 350 photos courtesy of Fred Etter.
Free download when you subscribe to our mailing list.
-
McSweyn and Caldwell spearhead World Cross Country medal hopes
Stewart McSweyn and Abbey Caldwell recorded convincing victories in the trials for the mixed 4x2km relay at the World Cross Country Championships.
-
Rayner runs onto third world cross country team
It was no surpise that Australian 10000m record holder Jack Rayner took victory at the Australian world cross country trial, but not before a courageous front running effort from Matt Ramsden.
-
Davies avenges Zatopek defeat with victory at Stromlo
Hometown hero Leanne Pompeani was the nominal favourite for the women’s selection trial for the World Cross Country Championshipsafter victory at last month’s Zatopek:10, but it was Rose Davies, who took victory.
-
Bunnage and Janetski winners of junior races
Tim O’Shaughnessy coached junior distance runners Amy Bunnage and Logan Janetzki scored the most convicing victories of the Australian Trials for the World Cross Country Championships.
[wcepe_products ids=’399,313,668′ columns=’3′]
Latest posts:
- All Tracks Are Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others
World Athletics has just rewritten the rulebook for Beijing 2027 — and for Australian athletes, the implications are significant. - Australian Top Lists
Check out the top 8 performances by Australian athletes in the lead up to Commonwealth Games selection. With Top Lists back in vogue in the selection policy for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games and for Oceania Championships selection (compared to prior years for World Athletics events where World Rankings ruled), here’s the performances that selectors will be… Read more: Australian Top Lists - Replacement Track Spikes
Since launching in 2020, spikes.au has grown to become one of Australia’s leading specialist retailers of replacement athletics spikes. The range includes durable steel spikes, lightweight Carbonlite and OmniLite options, along with premium titanium spikes that are not available anywhere else in Australia. - Abbey Caldwell claims first Diamond League victory in Xiamen
Abbey Caldwell has taken her stellar early-season form to its logical conclusion, winning the Xiamen Diamond League 1500m in 3:57.26. It is the first Diamond League victory of her career. The result comes just one week after Caldwell ran a personal best of 3:56.12 in Shanghai to become the second fastest Australian woman all-time, finishing… Read more: Abbey Caldwell claims first Diamond League victory in Xiamen - Murphy doubles down as Buschkuehl edges thriller in Darwin
Aidan Murphy capped a stunning sprint double at the 2026 Oceania Athletics Championships, adding the 200m title to his 400m crown after coming within touching distance of one of Australian athletics’ oldest records. The South Australian stormed to 44.44 seconds in the 400m on day two, rising to second on the Australian all-time list and… Read more: Murphy doubles down as Buschkuehl edges thriller in Darwin
