Grammar’s rural campus to host cross country carnival

THIS Saturday 18 July, Bacchus Marsh Grammar’s rural Staughton Vale campus sets the scene for the state’s most promising young cross country runners to compete over distance.

The Little Athletics Western Metro Region Cross Country Carnival is set to bring together more than 170 young runners from Little Aths clubs across the wider region including members of Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics Centre (BMLAC).

The region includes clubs from Gisborne, Corio, the Surf Coast, Williamstown and South Melbourne, to name just a few, and Bacchus Marsh has some handy athletes lining up for the challenge, the club’s

records and ranking officer Linda Thompson said.

“You’ll certainly have your die-hard distance runners and then you’ll also have some kids just having a go to represent their centre,” she said.

“The 2026 Region Cross Country Carnivals are individual championship events and also serve as the qualifying competition for the 2026 State Cross Country Championships which will be held at Lake Dewar on Saturday 15 August.

“While the carnival is primarily an individual event, it also includes a team competition.

“Team results are determined by the combined placings of the first three athletes from each centre to cross the finish line in each age group.

“To be eligible to compete at the State Cross Country Championships, athletes must compete in and complete their respective event at the Region Cross Country Carnival.”

BMLAC will be represented by 25 athletes, with the centre also fielding girls under-9 and girls under-11 teams.

Thompson said that following weeks of dedicated training and strong performances throughout the cross country season to date, the centre is hopeful a number of its athletes will be among the leading contenders for podium finishes.

Competitors in the carnival will range in age from under-9s to under-17s and, depending on their age groups, will be covering course distances ranging from 1.5km to 3km.