Athletics NSW to host test event for World Cross Country Championships

Athletics NSW will be hosting the NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships (NSW XC Short Course) at Mount Panorama in Bathurst on 7th August, doubling up as the test event for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships taking place on 18th February next year.

Athletics Australia (AA) and the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23 local organising committee welcome Athletics NSW in hosting the WXC Bathurst 23 test event this August.

Athletics NSW will work closely with Athletics Australia and the local organising committee in delivering the NSW XC Short Course, to test the course design and functionality as well as to engage the local community and provide additional opportunities to help promote the championships taking place next year.

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Peter Bromley said he was delighted to welcome Athletics NSW in hosting the test event, emphasising the importance of the opportunity in delivering a world class event.

Bromley notes “the countdown is well and truly on for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships next year, and we are thrilled to welcome Athletics NSW as a host for the test event this August. The NSW XC Short Course is a key event on the Athletics NSW calendar, attracting hundreds of budding athletes around the state.

“The test event gives us an opportunity to operate as we will in February, but it will also allow athletes of all levels to get involved and feel part of the global event when it comes to life next year.”

Athletics NSW Chief Executive Christian Renford added “we are very proud to be playing a major part in the lead up to the first World Athletics Series event in Australia in over 25 years, and we are looking forward to working with our community to ensure they have a unique, once-in-a-generation experience in running on the same course as the world’s best in just a few months’ time.

“We’d like to thank AA and the WXC Bathurst 23 LOC for the ongoing operational support in assisting us with the delivery of a very special NSW XC Short Course, one that we hope our membership will remember for many years to come.”

General Manager of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23, Richard Welsh, commented on the importance of the test event in the local organising committee's overall planning, and the working relationship with Athletics NSW to achieve their objectives.

“Partnering with Athletics NSW is ideal for us, as it allows us to set up the course for the World Championships for some 600 runners to go over the circuit. Participants will be surveyed afterwards and feedback taken on to ensure the course will be ready to host the world’s best athletes," he said.

“We’ll have a range of abilities trying the course, including elite athletes, para-athletes, juniors, masters and recreational runners. Having this variety of athlete is important as the World Championships weekend is going to be full of all types of races, with an event suitable for every type of runner.

“It’s also going to be a good chance to look at other event elements like traffic control, car parking, people flow, competition procedure and officials’ movements. We’ll also take the chance to digitally capture as much of the action as we can to promote the event for February.”

The weekend of the NSW XC Short Course will also include a range of activities outside of the cross country races, including a one-mile fun run to take place on the Saturday, as well as courses and forums for the athletics community, with more details to be provided shortly.

Image: Mount Panorama in Bathurst - venue for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23. Credit LOC