Cover photo by Steve Christo, courtesy of Athletics Australia
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.
Ramsden took off in the early stages at 28 minute 10km pace and opened up and early lead, before being pulled back in by Rayner.
The 27-year-old was comfortable over the closing stages, taking a three second victory in 29 minutes, 26 seconds. Ramsden was second, while Australian marathon record holder Brett Robinson took third in 29:37.
“In 2019 I came second to Brett but the main goal was to get out and get the winning streak going. I was a little nervous going in though. It’s not often I get to race Brett and Rambo, two of the fittest guys in Australia,” Robinson said.
The propsects of taking on the best in the world in front of a home crowd is now on Rayner’s mind, as he will look to improve on previous finishes at the World Cross Country of 40th (2017) and 64th (2019).
“I wouldn’t say the pressure is off now. The pressure is on now that the World Cross Country Championships is around the corner. Six weeks to go until Bathurst but before then I’ll be running a half marathon in between in Japan and take my new fitness across to Bathurst,” he said.
Outside of the automatically selected top three for the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst on 18 February were 1500m runner Rorey Hunter (29:40), marathoner Andy Buchanan (29:43) and Jackson Sharp (29:46), who all made a strong claim for discretionary selection. Athletics Australia plans to send a full compliment of athletes in all events.
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:
- Bronze, Records and Six From Six: Australia’s Finest Relay Weekend
The 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone delivered Australia’s finest relay weekend in decades — capped by a stunning bronze medal and national record in the men’s 4x400m, and headlined by a feat no other nation can yet claim: all six Australian relay teams have qualified for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. Photos… Read more: Bronze, Records and Six From Six: Australia’s Finest Relay Weekend - Linden Hall equals Jess Hull’s record for The Tan
Linden Hall has covered the 3.827km of Melbourne’s Tan in 11 minutes, 32 seconds to equal the record set three years ago by Jess Hull. Hall was a late entry into the annual Run the Tan event and stopped the clock at 11:31.42 (rounded to 11:32 under conventional timekeeping standards for out-of-stadia distance events) in… Read more: Linden Hall equals Jess Hull’s record for The Tan - The dark horse who floated under 20 seconds
Aidan Murphy has spent years running in the shadow of bigger events and bigger names. Then, on a warm Sydney afternoon, everything changed. - Sarah Carli: 5th straight title in the 400m hurdles
Australian 400m hurdler Sarah Carli takes viewers behind the scenes of her campaign at the Australian Athletics Championships, capturing the full emotional arc of championship racing—from pre-race nerves to post-race relief. Filmed vlog-style across the weekend in Sydney, the video follows Carli’s preparation, including travel, check-in routines, and the mental challenges of navigating heats and finals. Despite the… Read more: Sarah Carli: 5th straight title in the 400m hurdles - 6.84 and Rising: Delta Amidzovski’s Breakthrough Moment
At 19, the World Under 20 long jump champion is redefining what it means to grow up fast: on the runway, in the courtroom classroom, and under her mother’s watchful coaching.
