Locals race to great results

A number of Gippsland locals took part in the recent Australian Cross Country Championships and Australian Road Race Walking Championships in Ballarat last month.
Members of the Gippsland Track Club especially did well, bringing home plenty of strong results.
Matilda Read led the way, winning the Australian under 18 5km road race walking title in 24:08. The victory completed a national championship double for Read, following her Australian title on the track in Brisbane in April.
On the cross country course, Oscar Woodhouse continued his outstanding record at national level by claiming silver in the under 16 Men's Championship. Woodhouse handled the tough, muddy conditions superbly to finish second behind NSW's Phillip Botonis, adding to his silver medal in 2024 and national title in 2025.
The club also returned to the national open podium for the first time since 2009, with Charles Leahy, Zali Metcalfe, James Leahy and Elly Fleming combining to win bronze in the Australian Cross Country Mixed Open Relay Championship.
There were also several impressive performances from Gippsland Track Club's younger athletes, with Eli Spargo finishing eighth in the under 14 boys on national debut, Sapphire Pratt eighth in the under 16 women on national debut, and Elodie Tehennepe ninth in the under 14 girls.
The club's under 16 mixed relay team of Yuki Braybrook, Oscar Woodhouse, Sapphire Pratt and Sidney Box also produced an excellent performance to finish fifth in Australia.
Outside of the Gippsland Track Club, local Amy Boote also enjoyed an excellent showing, running sixth in the under 20 women's 6km event as a bottom-age athlete, making her the first Victorian over the line.