NSW Cross Country Relay Championships 2025

3 June 2025

1 min read

Run Crew dominated the 2025 NSW Cross Country Relays, going back-to-back in both the men’s and women’s open events under perfect sunny skies at Newington Armory.

The dry conditions were a stark contrast to last year’s rain-soaked edition at Miranda Park, with teams clocking significantly faster times—up to nine minutes quicker in the men’s race. Run Crew’s women’s squad, led by standout legs from Ruby Madden and Rose Finnegan, made it five consecutive titles with a commanding wire-to-wire performance.

Photo by Fred Etter

In the men’s race, it was a thrilling battle between Run Crew and Sydney University. The lead changed hands across the middle stages, before Run Crew’s Tom Middleton and Ciaran Rushton edged ahead in the closing legs. Rushton’s anchor leg (12:05) held off a blistering 11:57 split from Sydney Uni’s Ben Bishop, who clocked the fastest time of the day. Randwick Botany rounded out the podium, while five clubs finished within 40 seconds of each other in a tightly packed chase group.

The junior divisions delivered plenty of highlights. Trinity’s Matthew McLachlan was the second fastest male across all categories with his 12:03 in the U18 relay, while Gosford’s Harrison McClusky impressed with 12:11 in the U20s before backing up in the open event.

Top 10 Splits of the Day – Men

Rank	Athlete	Split
1	Ben Bishop	11:57
2	Matthew McLachlan	12:03
3	Ciaran Rushton	12:05
4	Harry Phillips	12:06
5	Harrison McClusky	12:11
6	Stefan Music	12:17
=7	Tom Middleton	12:19
=7	Yusuke Shibuya	12:19
9	Lockie Townsend	12:20
10	Oliver Neate	12:22

Top 10 Splits of the Day – Women

Rank	Athlete	Split
=1	Ruby Madden	14:16
=1	Rose Finnegan	14:16
3	Danette Sheehan	14:23
4	Gemma Jenkins	14:29
5	Olivia O’Kelly	14:37
6	Annabelle Miller	14:40
7	Isabella Harte	14:41
=8	Shayne Hargraves	14:45
=8	Matilda Cole	14:45
10	Millie Chudley	14:56