World cross country champs 2023: Schoolboy Max Russell hoping to learn from the best in Bathurst
This schoolboy runner dreams of competing against the best and fastest in the world for Australia one day. But if he can pull off the race of his life, he might do it just a little bit sooner.
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From the moment Max Russell tagged along with his dad for a run in the park he was hooked on the spot.
Now the Year 12 student from Paddington in Sydney’s east is preparing for the race of his life in Bathurst, the NSW country town hosting the world cross country championships from February 17-19.
The sport is offering athletes like Russell the chance to win a golden ticket into the main event at the championships and the teenager has his sights set on securing one of seven spots available from a lead up race for under 20 athletes.
The Sydney Boys High student’s goal is to race in an Australian kit but if he does well in the lead-up race on February 17 he could be running over the same terrain as our best middle-distance runners and their international rivals.
“The golden ticket race should be really fun,’’ said Russell, who recently won the Australian All Schools 2km steeplechase.
“It would mean the world to me if I got a ticket. I’d be over the moon. It will be hard but it is something I have been working for.
“Just running on the same course as these world runners would be amazing.
“I’d be star struck for sure.’’
Russell trains around 10-15km a week which sees him cover close to 90km.
His goal post his HSC is to try and be accepted into a US College to further his athletics career.
“I really like running. It’s a real stress reliever,’’ he said.
“When I have some disappointing races that really motivates me to race harder.
“It’s so good showing you can progress and see your improvement.’’
Australia will field an elite team of 28 in Bathurst with the world championship racing on February 18.
Running alongside the championships will be a number of mass participation races to allow runners, walkers and sports fans to race the same course as their elite counterparts.
AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR 2023 WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men’s 10km – Jack Rayner, Matthew Ramsden, Brett Robinson, Rorey Hunter, Andy Buchanan, Ky Robinson.
Women’s 10km – Rose Davies, Leanne Pompeani, Caitlin Adams, Isobel Batt-Doyle, Holly Campbell, Ellie Pashley.
Mixed 2km Relay – Stewart McSweyn, Abbey Caldwell, Oliver Hoare, Jessica Hull.
Under 20 Men’s 8km – Logan Janetzki, Archie Noakes, Jack Coomber, Cael Mulholland, Ciaran Rushton, Bailey Habler.
Under 20 Women’s 6km – Amy Bunnage, Gabrielle Schmidt, Gabrielle Vincent, Aspen Anderson, Claudia Meaker, Fieke Van Der Kamp.
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Originally published as World cross country champs 2023: Schoolboy Max Russell hoping to learn from the best in Bathurst
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