More than 3,800 primary and secondary students from the Sydney Archdiocese will represent their schools over two days at the 2023 Sydney Catholic Schools Cross Country Championships at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek.

Cross Country Carnival Interactive map

Interactive Map: Click on the image above to view the Cross Country course at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Sydney Catholic Schools is proud to offer our students this rare chance to race at Sydney’s premier sporting circuit.

Secondary school athletes will compete on Tuesday, 23 May 2023, and primary school athletes will compete on Wednesday, 24 May 2023.

We look forward to seeing all our students out on the track soon.

More than 3,800 primary and secondary students will converge on Sydney
Motorsport Park on 23-24 May, to run long and run strong.

2021 Cross Country Podium Girls 8/9 Group BSecondary school students will compete in Sydney Catholic Schools’ 2023 Cross Country
Championships on Tuesday 23 May, and primary school students will compete at the same venue
the following day.

Selected students will progress to Sydney International Equestrian Centre on Tuesday, 13 June 2023,
for the MacKillop Championships (Primary) and NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Championships
(Secondary).

At those championships athletes will vie for spots at the NSW Primary School Sports Association and the NSW All Schools Championships on Friday 21 July, also at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Sydney Catholic Schools is proud to offer our students such pathways to higher representative sport,
starting with school trials, moving through to conference and inter-Diocesan levels and, finally,
progressing to state and national competitions.

Get live results from the 2022 Cross Country Championships instantly in the palm of their hands, using the Multisport Australia SportSplits Real-Time Tracking app.

Download the app to receive details about race times, pace, position of athletes on the map, and estimated finish. You can even get notifications about when races start!

Secondary – Day 1
Primary – Day 2

Download the SportsSplits tracker mobile app

Q: Where is the Sydney Catholic Schools Cross Country Championships being held?
A: This year’s championships are being held at Sydney Motorsport Park, located 40km west of
Sydney’s CBD on the corner of Brabham Drive and Ferrers Road at Eastern Creek. It is a 45-minute
drive from the CBD or airport, on average.

 

Q: Which gate do I enter for the Sydney Catholic Schools Cross Country Championships?
A: Entrance to Sydney Motorsport Park is via Gate A, off Ferrers Road. Refer to the venue map for more information.

 

Q: What time do I need to be at Sydney Motorsport Park on the day of the championships?
A: This depends on whether your child is competing in the secondary or primary championships.
The primary championships will be split into two sessions: AM Session – Conference 2 and 4; and PM Session – Conference 1 and 3. For the AM Session the venue opens up for students, parents and spectators at 7.30am. For the PM Session the venue opens for students, parents and spectators at 11.15am.
The secondary championships will be held in one session. Gates will open at 7.30am.

 

Q: Where do I park on the day of the championships?
A:Security parkers will direct to car park areas on the grass. Staff and buses park in different areas, so don’t necessarily follow the vehicle in front of you.

 

Q: Once I have parked, what do I do next?
A: Once you have parked safely, make your way to the tunnel with your child/ren. From there make your way to the grandstand. Refer to this venue map for more information.

 

Q: Where will my child be seated in the grandstand?
A: To find your child, refer to the grandstand allocation for schools: 

Q: How do I know which conference my child’s school is in?
A: You can click here to find your child’s school to know which conference their school is in.

 

Q: Will my child be able to do a practice walk of the course before they compete on the day?
A: There is no physical walk of the course. However, you are very welcome to watch our virtual walk-the-course videos ahead of the championships. Videos of the courses are accessible via the Walk the Courses Virtually tab, located on this web page.

 

Q: Where can I find more information about Sydney Motorsport Park for Sydney Catholic Schools Cross Country Championships?
A: You can become familiar with the venue for Sydney Catholic Schools Cross Country by watching these videos:

Q: How do I know what time my child is expected to be at the marshal area in preparation for their race?
A:  Please refer to the applicable event program:

Q: Where can I find the Cross Country Championships results?
A: The results will be accessible on the Multisport Australia website progressively throughout the championships day at www.multisportaustralia.com.au 

 

Q: Is there an app for the Cross Country Championships?
A: Yes, Multisport Australia has a SportSplits Real-Time Tracking app. Go to their website – www.multisportaustralia.com.au – and click on the ‘Tracker’ tab to find out more.

Q: Will there be food available at the venue?
A: Canteen facilities will be available, however due to COVID-19 we suggest bringing your own refreshments. 

 

Q: What happens if there is wet weather leading up to, or on the day of, the championships?
A: Students, parents and spectators are encouraged to watch our 2km – Wet Course and 3km – Wet Course guides.   

The Cross Country Championships will involve 150 Sydney Catholic schools and six congregational schools competing in:

AGE   LEVEL    BOYS    GIRLS
8/9 years   Primary    2km course    2km course
10 years   Primary    2km course    2km course
Multi Class   Primary    2km course    2km course
11 years   Primary    3km course    3km course
12/13 years   Primary    3km course    3km course
12 years   Secondary    3km course    3km course
13 years   Secondary    3km course    3km course
Multi Class   Secondary    3km course    3km course
14 years   Secondary    4km course    4km course
15 years   Secondary    4km course    4km course
16 years   Secondary    6km (3km course x 2)    4km course
17 years   Secondary    6km (3km course x 2)    4km course
18+ years   Secondary    8km (4km course x 2)    6km (3km course x 2)

Ahead of the championships competitors are encouraged to watch our virtual walk-the-course videos, filmed at the venue, so as to familiarise themselves with the course/s. 

The 2km course
—
The 3km course

Note: Competitors in the 6km event will complete the 3km course twice.

—
The 4km course

Note: Competitors in the 8km event will complete the 4km course twice.

To gain a stronger understanding of the running course/s, we recommend having the following course maps handy while watching the virtual guides:

  • 2km – Dry and Wet Conditions
  • 3km – Dry Conditions 
  • 4km – Dry Conditions
  • 6km – Dry Conditions
  • 8km – Dry Conditions
  • 3km – Wet Conditions
  • 4km – Wet Conditions

Note: Competitors in the 6km event will complete the 3km course twice, and competitors in the 8km event will complete the 4km course twice.

For the event order, please refer to the applicable event program:

View all our 2022 coverage below:

For other sports news, visit: sydcatholicschools.nsw.edu.au/sports-news

More than 2500 primary school students navigated a mud-slicked course at Sydney Catholic Schools’ first large-scale Primary Cross Country, their eyes firmly on the prize – a berth at the MacKillop Championships. View all our related 2021 news coverage below:

2021 highlights

Our Executive Director, Tony Farley, and Chief of Staff, Jacqueline Frost, were on scene at Sydney Catholic Schools’  first Cross Country at Sydney Motorsport Park, where they caught up with some of our young running superstars.

For more sports news, visit: sydcatholicschools.nsw.edu.au/sports-news