VALLEY TEAM GOES TO AUSTRALIAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS NEXT WEEKEND

A squad of ten Diamond Valley Athletic Club members will travel to Ballarat next weekend to compete at the 2026 Australian Cross Country Championships. To reach these Championships where they will represent Victoria, each athlete has had to reach a high standard of performance in the 2026 Winter season. DVAC congratulates each athlete on this achievement and wishes them all the best in their Championship race.

If you’re thanking of heading down to Victoria Park, Ballarat, to watch the Championships, don’t hesitate. The races are open to spectator movement around the course and there are some very technical parts of the course that are sure to attract interest such as the “mud” pit, the “log” jumps and the newly introduced hills. The long finish chute is always a popular focus point to watch as the races unfold.

DVAC is likely to field three teams in the Mixed Relays on the Sunday. These will be the Open Mixed Relay (1:50pm), the U18 Mixed Relay (1:00pm) and the 60+ Mixed Relay (2:40pm).

2026 AUSTRALIAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday 22 August 2026

Victoria Park, Ballarat

DVAC ENTRIES:

9:55am:Lizzie Rance:FU12:3km XC Final:

11:40am:Jordan Rudd (T20):Para Senior:3km XC Final:

1:05pm:Caden Murray:Senior Men:10km XC Final:

2:20pm:Heidi Kuppler:FU15:4km XC Final:

3:20pm:Matilda Johnson:FU17:4km XC Final:

3:35pm:Rose Jarvis:FU18:4km XC Final:

3:50pm:William Quigley:MU17:6km XC Final:

4:10pm:Brodie Batt:MU18:6km XC Final:

4:30pm:Poppy Scot-Dalgleish:FU20:6km XC Final:

NEXT EVENT ON THE XCR’26 CALENDAR

XCR’26 Round 9 – R:15

September 6 @ 7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Date: Sunday 6th September 2026

Entries Close: 11:59am (Midday), Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Location: Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Burnley, VIC 3121

A level course along the banks of the Yarra River, the Burnley 4km and 15km is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and aim for a personal best or tune-up for a big spring and summer of fitness.

Draft Timetable

AV WINTER LADDERS AFTER RD 8

FEMALE:

OPEN:

Division 2: 3^rd/11;

Division 4: 3^rd /13;

Division 5: 2^nd/21 & 13^th/21;

Open Short Course: 1^st/20 & 13^th/20

JUNIORS:

F20: 3^rd/23;

F18: 1^st/17 & 9^th/17;

F16: 8^th/18;

F14: 10^th/22;

OVERAGE:

F40+: 7^th/20;

F40+ Short Course: 7^th/16

F50+: 11^th/20;

F50+ Short Course: 5^th/16;

F60+: 5^th/13:

F60+ Short Course: 5^th/9;

MALE:

OPEN:

Division 2: 6^th/14;

Division 4: 5^th/13;

Division 7: 6^th/33;

M Open Short Course: 1^st/24 & 4^th/24

JUNIORS:

M20: 1^st/18;

M18: 2^nd/24 & 20^th/24;

M16: 9^th/24:

M14: 7^th/19;

OVERAGE:

40+: 5^th/22;

M40+ Short Course: 2^nd/19 & 16^th/19

Overage: 50+: 11^th/18:

M50+ Short Course: 2^nd/20 & 12^th/20

M60+: 12^th/18;

M60+ Short Course:2^nd/18 & 10^th/18

XCR CHAMPION ATHLETE 2026_DVAC ATHLETES IN THE TOP TEN

M18:Brodie Batt3^rd26pts

F20:Poppy Scot-Dalgleish6^th23pts

M20:Ethan Armstrong-Bourne: 3^rd24pts

F16:Heidi Kuppler:7^th22pts

F18:Matilda Johnson:2^nd35pts

F18:Rose Jarvis:5^th29pts

M14:Jett Hollingsworth:3^rd27pts

F45:Alison Knuckey:4^th33pts

M50:Craig Cassidy:5^th25pts

M50 SC: Adam Scott:5^th18pts

F50 SC: Maryann Murray:6^th13pts

M60 SC: Lyal Douglas:4^th23pts

M60 SC: Ross McDonald:5^th20pts

M60 SC: Andrew McKenzie:7^th17pts

M60 SC: Martin Murray:8^th16pts

M60 SC: Jeff Young:10^th12pts

F60: Jo Moxon:8^th13pts

F60 SC: Michelle King:4^th30pts

M Open SC: Jordan Rudd:2^nd26pts

F Open SC: Jesse Mayne:1^st42pts

FINAL EVENT ON THE XCR’26 CALENDAR

XCR’26 Round 10 – Tan: Relays

September 12 @ 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Date:Saturday 12th September, 2026

TeamEntries Close:11:59am (Midday), Monday 7th September 2026

Athlete Memberships for Eligibility Close:11:59am (Midday), Wednesday 9th September 2026

Location:Tan Track, Melbourne, VIC 3000

The XCR’26 season culminates back at the home of racing in Melbourne, The Tan. Athletes will complete one lap of the 3.8km circuit in the hope of bringing the XCR’26 premiership to their club.

KEEP THESE DATES IN YOUR DIARY

XCR’26 SEASON*:

Sat 22 Aug:2026 Australian CC Champ’s:Ballarat

Sun 23 Aug:Mixed 2km Relay Champ’s:Ballarat

Sun 6 Sept:XCR Rd 9: 15km Road Race:Burnley

Sat 12 Sept:XCR Rd 10: Tan Relays:The Tan

Thu 24 Sept: 2026 Willinda Classic:Willinda Park

(Max Balchin)