Australia’s distance running scene was on display at Victoria Park, where Zach Facioni and Bronte Oates seized national titles in decisive fashion at the 2025 Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships.
Facioni, drawing on international experience and his NCAA background, clinched the Men’s 10km gold in 30:33 after a tactical race, finishing six seconds ahead of Aidan Velten and holding off early frontrunner Matthew Buckell. Facioni credited composure and experience for his victory, emphasizing the importance of sticking to his race plan through the surges.
In the Women’s 10km, Bronte Oates celebrated her 21st birthday with her maiden national title, dominating from the gun and finishing in 34:44—20 seconds clear of Olympian Jenny Blundell, with Georgia Hansen taking third. Oates, fresh off the FISU World University Games, went out hard and maintained her lead in challenging muddy conditions, expressing excitement at her breakthrough win and setting her sights on next year’s World Cross Country Championships.
Under 20 athletes also impressed: Isabella Valinoti of Queensland stormed to a comfortable win in the Women’s 6km (20:52), while Yohanes Asmare was equally dominant in the Men’s 8km, claiming victory in 24:30. Paralympians Michael Roeger and Annabelle Colman shone in the Para-athletics 3km races with strong performances, inspiring the next generation of runners.
The championships, part of the Chemist Warehouse Winter Series and supported by the Victorian Government, continue in Ballarat with junior race walking and cross country relay events, following a weekend packed with competitive and recreational running.