The Australian Cross Country Championships head to Ballarat this weekend, and the men’s race has a clear frontrunner: 23-year-old Ed Marks, who has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Australian distance running. After consecutive podium finishes at the national championships, Marks is chasing the elusive gold medal to complete his steady rise in the sport.
The Glenhuntly athlete comes into the championships in superb form after a winter season that has marked him as the man to beat. In April, he finished third at Run the Tan in 10:24, just a second behind the winner, before storming home to clock the fastest leg at the Jells Park cross country relays in June. June also saw him win the Lakeside 5 in 13:56, while in July he claimed the Lakeside 10 in 28:55 as well as the fastest split at the Sandown Road Relays, 15 seconds ahead of Andy Buchanan. Most significantly, he won the Victorian Cross Country Championships on the very course to be used in Ballarat this weekend, cruising to a runaway 49-second victory in 29:23. 
With that resume, Marks enters as the clear favourite, but history shows the national crown does not come easily. Last year in Launceston, he had to settle for silver, outkicked by Seth O’Donnell in the final metres. In 2023, he was third at Stromlo, finishing just behind Olympians Jack Rayner and Andy Buchanan. Marks has been close before — and this weekend, he’ll be determined to finally step onto the top step of the podium.
A Breakout Period
The past 18 months have marked a breakthrough for Marks on the international stage. In March, he lined up at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade and delivered a performance that turned heads, placing 24th overall.
That run boosted his confidence and showed that his gritty cross country style can translate to the global stage. “I was expecting to finish more sort of in the mid-30s,” Marks said on the Inside Running Podcast in June.
“But I paced it well and ended up 24th. I didn’t run the most aggressive race, but being patient meant I kept moving forward as others came back.’
It was a performance that underscored his natural aptitude for the discipline. “There’s no real secret to my cross country success—hills have always been my strength,” he explained. “Maybe it’s because I’m small and light, so I’m efficient on the climbs.”
Cross Country as a Calling
Marks’ love affair with cross country began as a teenager at Melbourne’s Wesley College. He has since carved out a reputation as one of the best exponents of the discipline in the country. .
“Cross country can be brutal,” he admitted. “But I really do love it. It’s tough, but that’s what makes it rewarding.”
That toughness will be required this weekend. The Ballarat course, flat and fast, rewards aggressive racing. With rivals including fellow World Cross Country representatives Andre Waring and Zach Facioni, and emerging threat Aidan Velten, Marks is unlikely to leave his finishing kick to chance, in favour of long grinding moves that break fields apart.
Taking Control
One of the defining decisions of his young career has been to step away from Melbourne Track Club and coach himself. For a runner of his level, it was a bold move, but one Marks feels was necessary.
“I wanted a bit more autonomy over my training,” he said. “Coaching myself lets me change things up week to week… it’s not always perfect, but it keeps it interesting”
Self-coaching has also given him confidence that he understands his own needs better than anyone else. “I probably sell myself short sometimes,” he admitted. “I don’t think I’m at the level for sponsorship yet, but maybe I am. We’ll see what happens.”
Despite his humility, few doubt that his results already warrant greater recognition. As he eyes a maiden national title, Marks is beginning to be spoken of as a future leader in Australian distance running.
A Professional Future
Balancing his athletic career with a demanding engineering degree at the University of Melbourne, Marks has resisted the temptation to jump fully into professional running. But he admits the idea is appealing once his studies are complete.
“I’d like to try the professional lifestyle after I finish my engineering degree,” he said. “Even if it’s just for a few years, I want to give running my full focus.”
That long-term ambition, paired with his steady progression on the roads and cross country, suggests Marks has yet to scratch the surface of his potential.
The $3,500 first prize on offer in Ballarat (from a total pool of $25,000) makes the title more than just a time-honoured stepping stone in the progression of Australian distance runners, to one that can have a material impact on athletes seeking to forge a professional pathway.
The Favourites’ Burden
This weekend in Ballarat, Marks carries the weight of expectation. Having finished second in 2024 and third in 2023, the next logical step is victory. Yet the field will be stacked with challengers eager to deny him.
- Aidan Velten, still developing, and based in Canberra at uni has impressed this season in Sydney and Melbourne and will be keen to test himself against the nation’s best.
- Andre Waring, also a World Cross Country representative, has shown resilience and strength at national level.
- Zach Facioni, with NCAA pedigree and international experience, is unpredictable but has the speed to upset in a slower race.
But Marks knows that this is his opportunity. The Ballarat course suits his rhythm, and his commanding win at the Victorian Championships proved he can dominate it.
As he put it, “Cross country has always been my strength” — and this weekend, it could finally deliver him gold.
City to Surf winner Oates favourite in the women’s race
The women’s race promises to be just as compelling, headlined by Bronte Oates, who comes in as the form athlete after a spectacular winter. Oates claimed victory at the City to Surf, running the fifth-fastest time in the event’s history, off the back of finishing fifth in the 10,000 metres at the World University Games in a new personal best of 32:11. Those results cement her status as the favourite in Ballarat.
Her biggest challengers include a mix of seasoned internationals and rising stars. Ruby Smee continues her progression after a strong road season, while the NSW trio of Jenny Blundell, Kate Spencer, and Jaylah Hancock-Cameron bring both track speed and endurance credentials to the race. Katherine Dowie, the Victorian champion, will relish the flat Ballarat course and has the form to contend for the podium.
Oates’ ability to combine road strength with international track performances makes her the standout, but with such a deep field and the nature of cross country, the women’s championship could prove the more unpredictable race of the day.
Free Photo Gallery
The Australian Cross Country Championships features a full day of racing from 11 year olds to masters athletes. We’ll be there to provide editorial photographic coverage of the meet, with all of our images available for free download following.
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