Australia Wins Historic Gold at World Cross Country Championships

Four Australian runners just proved that believing in victory can turn bronze into gold on the world stage.

Jessica Hull, Oliver Hoare, Linden Hall, and Jack Anstey won gold in the mixed relay event at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. The team finished their four 2-kilometer legs in 22 minutes and 23 seconds, three seconds ahead of France.

Hull, who won silver in the 1,500 meters at the Paris Olympics, ran the final leg. She and Hoare had previously earned bronze in the same event at the 2023 championships in Bathurst, making this victory even sweeter.

"We're all pretty proud of that one," Hull said after the race. "There's been a belief that we cannot just medal, but we can probably win it, and we all carried that into today because we weren't afraid to try and run to win."

That mindset made all the difference. Instead of playing it safe and hoping for another podium finish, the Australian team approached the race with the confidence of champions.

The gold medal represents Australia's fifth medal in World Athletics Cross Country Championships history. For a country better known for its track and field stars, this victory shows Australian distance runners can compete with the best cross country teams in the world.

Why This Inspires

This win shows what happens when athletes shift from hoping to medal to believing they can win. The Australian team didn't just show up to participate. They showed up with a game plan and the confidence to execute it against the world's best runners.

Their journey from bronze in 2023 to gold in 2025 proves that success builds on itself when you learn from experience and raise your expectations.

A team that once celebrated third place just raised the bar for Australian cross country running.