Australia’s decision to field a full-strength team for the mixed relay at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 paid off handsomely on Saturday (10), as the Aussies powered to a convincing victory in the opening discipline of the championships.
The quartet of Olli Hoare, Linden Hall, Jack Anstey, and Jessica Hull built on their bronze medal performance from 2023 to claim gold in 22:23, delivering a commanding display from start to finish.
Mixed Relay Results:
🥇 Australia – 22:23
🥈 France – 22:26
🥉 Ethiopia – 22:34
4 Kenya – 22:42
5 United States – 22:43
6 South Africa – 23:04
7 Great Britain & NI – 23:11
8 Uganda – 23:43
France caused a stir by claiming a surprise silver, while four-time champions Kenya finished off the podium for the first time in the history of the mixed relay. Ethiopia rounded out the medal positions in bronze. The race was filled with intense action, with multiple lead changes and challenging terrain including mud sections and alligator-shaped wooden logs that tested the athletes’ agility and endurance.
The race kicked off with Uganda’s Silas Chemutai setting an early pace, closely followed by USA’s Ethan Strand, Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot, and Australia’s Olli Hoare. Cheruiyot, the world 1500m bronze medallist, surged during the second half of the opening 2km lap, but Strand edged ahead through the log section. On the second leg, Kenya’s Winfred Mbithe briefly regained the lead before Linden Hall pushed Australia into a commanding position.
Jack Anstey held Australia’s lead on the third leg despite pressure from France’s Antoine Senard, who handed over to Agathe Guillemot in second place. In the final leg, Olympic 1500m silver medallist Jessica Hull reeled in Guillemot over the final kilometre, holding off the French challenger through the mud and logs to secure a memorable victory.