Oceania at the World Cross Country Championships

The Bathurst World Cross Country Championships will see the largest number of Oceania Athletes (90) attend the championships.

In total, 12 Oceania Member Federations will toe the start at Mount Panorama. (Beating the previous 5 in 1988). With 90 Athletes across the teams, it would almost double the previous best of 48 athletes in 1991 edition.

It will be the debut for 6 of Oceania’s Federations at the World Cross Country Championships. The Cook Islands (2 athletes), Marshall Islands (1 Athlete), Norfolk Island (1 Athlete), Northern Marianas (2 athletes), French Polynesia (2 athletes) and the Solomon Islands (5 athletes).

The Mixed Relay Teams Events will see the first time an Oceania Federations has competed in it. With 4 teams (AUS, NZL, PNG, FIJ) taking to the start line to complete the four 2km legs, completed by two Men and two Women.

This edition will see Oceania break some other records at the World Cross Country Championships, with Pramesh Prasad (FIJ) and Andrew Logan (COK) set to become the oldest ever competitors at a World Cross Country Championships at age 48, taking over from of NZL jack Foster. Pramesh, who is slightly older than Andrew, will take the crown.

The Area has had two individual medal winners, with Benita Willis of Australia, winning the Women’s 8km race in 2004, whilst New Zealand’s Rod Dixon, winning a bronze medal in 1973 and 1982. Whilst in the team’s race, New Zealand’s Men, spearheaded by Dixon’s bronze in the individual claimed team bronze in 1973 and team gold in 1975. Australia has claimed two bronze medals in the Women’s Team Races, similarly both headed by Benita Willis. It is the New Zealand Women’s team, who has been the most successful team, with 2 silver medals and 2 bronze medals at the early editions of the Championships.

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