Runner Ellie Pashley ready to take on the world at cross country championships
There has been no slowing down Ellie Pashley, as the Aireys Inlet running machine prepares for the world championships just months after giving birth to her daughter.
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Aireys Inlet running machine Ellie Pashley has even surprised herself by earning the chance to take on the world’s best cross country runners so soon after having her first child.
The Olympic marathoner will join a deep Australian team in the 10km event at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst next month.
Pashley, who finished 23rd in the marathon at the Tokyo games, gave birth to daughter Tiggy Rose just seven months ago but has roared back into top form.
The 34-year-old has recently shown off her 10km form by beating all comers at Run 4 Geelong in November and taking on a mixed-gender field at the Geelong 10k last month.
The cross country races will present a different challenge, taking the runners off the track, but Pashley’s constant presence on the gravel running around the surf coast with her kelpie Luna should have her in good stead to meet the challenge.
“I am really excited for this one,” she said.
“It’s probably a bigger deal for me than people realise, mostly because I didn’t think it was going to happen so soon after having a baby. I have never done a home championship race or a World Cross Country before.
“I have always loved cross country, I did it as a kid through primary school and high school. It’s something that I have wanted to do for years and years, ever since I started running seriously.”
The Australian team – which also includes Olympians Ollie Hoare, Stewart McSweyn and Jess Hull – will face running stars like Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei and Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey at the championships, which will be held from February 17-19.
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Originally published as Runner Ellie Pashley ready to take on the world at cross country championships
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