Sport
22 July, 2026
Camperdown hosts cross country carnival
NINETY-three athletes from 20 little athletics centres across the western country region tackled a challenging cross-country course in Camperdown last weekend.
The Camperdown Little Athletics Centre was the host for this year’s western country regional cross-country carnival, held last Sunday, July 19.
Competitors enjoyed ideal racing conditions, with perfect winter weather setting the scene for a fantastic day of competition.
The challenging course began at Leura Oval, taking athletes around the base of Mount Sugarloaf before entering the Camperdown Showgrounds where competitors completed laps of the small arena.
Athletes then returned via Mount Leura Road, finishing back at Leura Oval in front of family, friends and supporters.
The carnival featured three race distances – three kilometres (for under 13-under 17 athletes), two kilometres (under 11 and 12) and 1.5km (under 9 and 10).
The course tested every athlete, but it was inspiring to witness the grit, determination and sportsmanship shown throughout the day.
There were many outstanding performances, including numerous new personal bests achieved across all age groups.
Events such as these require months of planning and the support of many volunteers, organisations and local businesses.
Camperdown Little Athletics Centre extends its sincere thanks to all its generous event sponsors.
Thanks also to Corangamite Shire for assisting with road closures, the Leura Oval Committee of Management, Camperdown Football Netball Club, Mount Leura and Friends Committee, and the Camperdown P&A Society Committee for the use of their facilities and support in making the course possible.
The centre also thanks all competing athletes, families, volunteers, committee members, Western Country Region volunteers and the visiting centres for contributing to a wonderful day.
The club also had five of its athletes join in on a short fun run.
A special acknowledgement goes to Kevin Russell, whose commitment went well above and beyond helping ensure the carnival was such a success.
Camperdown Little Athletics results:
Female under 13–17 2nd Zoe Unwin 13:25.
Female under 11–12 Esther Couch 4th (8:23), Elise Nicholls 4th 8:00, Millie Bourke 5th 8:14, Lara Hooker 9th 11:25, Addison Whitehead 10th 13:49, Sophia Brown 10th 12:10 and Holly Brown 11th 14:07.
Female under 9–10 Natalie Corrigan 2nd 6:10, Elise Nesseler 4th 7:13 and Luca Unwin 5th 7:23.
Male under 13–17 Charlie Unwin 2nd 13:20.
Male under 11–12 Nicholas Whitehead DNS.
Male under 9–10 Ethan Cotton 2nd 6:07, Jett Newey 3rd 6:10, Harrison Plater 4th 6:11, Lenny Bourke 5th 6:28, Callum Nicholls 5th 5:28, Jackson Whitehead 6th 6:32 and William Brown 12th 6:25.
Congratulations to all athletes on their performances.
Best of luck to those who have now qualified for the Little Athletics Victoria State Cross Country Championships at Lake Dewar on Saturday, August 15.
The Camperdown Little Athletics Club now looks forward to the start of its track and field season in term four (Friday, October 9).
Early bird registrations will open in the coming weeks.