World cross country champs 2023: Rising star Piper Simpson chasing golden ticket in Bathurst

She knows she’s years younger than her rivals but this 14-year old is dreaming big of a golden ticket into the world athletics cross country championship main event in Bathurst this month.

Piper Simpson is competing at the 2023 cross country world championships in a golden ticket race. Pic: Gregg Porteous

Piper Simpson raced into the spotlight at the Australian All Schools athletics championships in December with a gold medal in her pet events.

The newly crowned Australian All Schools 1500m champion for under 15s now has a new goal.

The Malabar runner, who attends Saint Catherine’s at Waverly, is heading to Bathurst in February for the opportunity of a lifetime.

The teenager is chasing one of seven coveted golden tickets for under 20 women into the main event at the world cross country championships on February 18.

And despite being years younger than many of her rivals, she is determined to pursue her dream.

NSW athlete Piper Simpson from Malabar competing at a championship meet in Sydney.

Supporting her will be her family, including twin sisters Asher and Callie who will be doing a participation event at the championships.

“It would be just incredible to get in,’’ said the youngster who is working towards representing Australia on the world stage and Olympic Games in the future.

Piper after racing at the Australian championships last year.

“I think I will be nervous but I have to be fearless and just go out and do my best.’’

Piper will race over a 2km course in Bathurst the day before the elite world cross country race on February 18.

Races will be run for under 20 men and women and open men and women with the top seven finishers in each of these races able to race in the main event.

And while they not be Australian team members, these athletes will have the opportunity of a lifetime to race on the same terrain as the best in the world.

Piper Simpson is competing at the Cross Country 2023 world championships in a golden ticket race. Pic: Gregg Porteous

Piper said Australian athletes like Jessica Hull from the NSW south coast are her role models.

“Jessica Hull is just amazing. She really inspires me,’’ said Piper who also plays hockey for UNSW and touch footy at school said.

“I want to be a professional like her one day.”

Piper said running not only keeps her fit and healthy but makes her happy.

“I just love the feeling of when you finish knowing all your hard works means something,’’ she said.

“I love the community as well and all the friends you can make.’’

“Running always makes me smile. And when I have a bad race I just use it as motivation and when I do better it makes me feel better.’’

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