Commonwealth Games 1500m champion Olli Hoare and up-and-coming collegiate distance runner Ky Robinson have been named in the final team for next month’s World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.
The pair were announced today by Athletics Australia in the 28-strong team for the 18 February event.
Hoare will line up with Stewart McSweyn, Abbey Caldwell and Jessica Hull in the Mixed 2km Relay, where Australia will be strong medal contenders.
“You only get a few opportunities if you are fortunate enough to represent your country on the world stage,” Hoare said.
“To be able to do it on Australian soil is a huge opportunity and I’m very excited to be coming home to compete for a world title with the best Australian middle distance runners in Abbey (Caldwell), Jess (Hull) and Stewy (McSweyn).
“I hope we are all able to get Australia behind us as we go for the team tile in Bathurst. We will see you out there!”
Hoare will sharpen up for the event by running the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games on 11 February. He is the reigning champion, where he set an Australian indoor record of 3:50.83.
Also preparing for the World Cross Country by running on boards is Stanford based Ky Robinson, who was a discretionary selection in the 10km after not contesting the selection trial a fortnight ago. Last weekend Robinson ran 7:49.72 over 3000m at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville. Late last year, he showed his form with a 13:11.53 5000m indoors in Boston.
The remainder of selections follow the order of finishers at the Australian Trial for the World Cross Country Championships, including Ellie Pashley, who gained selection just seven months after giving birth.
“I am really excited for this one! It’s probably a bigger deal for me than people realise, mostly because I didn’t think it was going to happen so soon after having a baby. I have never done a home championship race or a World Cross Country before,” Pashley said.
“I have always loved cross country, I did it as a kid through primary school and high school. It’s something that I have wanted to do for years and years, ever since I started running seriously.”
Australian team for World Cross Country Championships
Open Men 10km
- Jack Rayner
- Matt Ramsden
- Brett Robinson
- Rorey Hunter
- Andy Buchanan
- Ky Robinson
Open Women 10km
- Rose Davies
- Leanne Pompeani
- Caitlin Adams
- Isobel Batt-Doyle
- Holly Campbell
- Ellie Pashley
Mixed 2km Relay
- Stewart McSweyn
- Abbey Caldwell
- Oliver Hoare
- Jessica Hull
Junior Men 8km
- Logan Janetzki
- Archie Noakes
- Jack Coomber
- Cael Mulholland
- Ciaran Rushton
- Bailey Habler
Junior Women 6km
- Amy Bunnage
- Gabriele Schmidt
- Gabrielle Vincent
- Aspen Anderson
- Claudia Meaker
- Fieke Van Der Kamp
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
