Team Yarra was thrilled to be back at Bundoora Park for the Victorian Cross Country Championships, a venue loved for its challenging hills, muddy sections and classic cross-country terrain. A new course presented a deceptively fast circuit for our athletes.

All eyes were on our Open Men as they looked to strengthen their position at the top of the Division 2 ladder; it was an all-hands-on-deck effort.

Harry continued his outstanding form, backing up his recent half marathon PB with a superb 5th-place finish. James also had a fantastic race to finish inside the top 20, with Max, Pierce and Tynan close behind. Luke stepped up to complete the scoring six, helping the Division 2 Men secure a 3rd-place finish. They remain on top of the ladder with a slightly diminished seven-point lead over Geelong.

Our Division 5 Men were once again dominant, with Sam A and Sam Q leading the way alongside Adrian and Matt to claim another team victory. Trent, Michael and Bryan also battled through the demanding 10km course, scoring our Div 7 team a 2nd place. We may be looking at a season outcome that sees three men's teams promoted, how exciting!

Our Division 2 Women continued to show their grit and determination, scoring full points once again as they chased down the teams above them. Liv led the way with an excellent 12th-place finish, while Grace continued her impressive progression, placing 24th and edging ever closer to her first top-20 result. Maddie and Bonnie rounded out the scoring team to secure another valuable 2nd-place finish.

The juniors also had a fantastic day, with Ryder and Zoe both claiming top-10 finishes in the Under 18 races. Ryder, Brinn, Mitch and Blake combined for another strong team performance, finishing 2nd. It was also great to see our youngest representatives, Cash and Lachlan, take on the 2km course. We hope you both enjoyed the experience of racing alongside Team Yarra!

Congratulations to everyone who competed and represented Yarra with pride.

A special mention goes to Bonnie, Tynan and Katie, who stepped up to cover club duty and ensure our teams weren't penalised. Your willingness to help out is greatly appreciated.

Next up is the ever-popular Lakeside 10 as we shift our focus to road racing. Be sure to get your entries in before they close on 22 July. Go Yarra! 🤍💚💙