News & Updates

Athletics NZ has announced an initial team of eight athletes to compete at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia on Saturday 30 March.

The final selections will be announced by Thursday 18 January.

Leading the initial selections in the senior women’s team is national cross country champion Anneke Arlidge of the North Harbour Bays club. The 27-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season, winning three medals including steeplechase gold at the 2023 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships. It will be her second appearance at the World Cross Country Championships having appeared as part of the New Zealand mixed relay quartet which finished tenth at the 2023 edition in Bathurst earlier this year.

Joining her on the team is Georgie Grgec (Auckland City Athletics), who is all set for her New Zealand debut. The 30-year-old UK-based athlete has enjoyed a breakthrough past 12 months recording a 10km road PB of 32:25 and blasting to an impressive half marathon time of 1:12:58 in Copenhagen.

Catherine Lund (Ariki) and Boh Ritchie (Hamilton City Hawks) have secured selection in the U20 women’s race. The duo finished one-two in the U20 race at the New Zealand Cross Country Championships earlier this year and also boast World Cross Country Championships experience having placed 27^th and 41^st respectively in the U20 race in Bathurst in March.

A four-strong team has been selected in the U20 men’s team including three men – Christian De Vaal, Jamie Mora, Matt Hill – who featured at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships. De Vaal, the national U20 cross country champion, will be looking for a strong showing and he will be joined by Mora, who secured silver behind De Vaal at Spa Thermal Park earlier this year. Matt Hill impressed by placing 38^th and top New Zealand finisher in the U20 men’s race in Bathurst and will be seeking a similarly good performance in Serbia.

Daniel Prescott, the national men’s U18 cross country silver medallist and recently minted senior boys’ 1500m champion at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships, is the fourth member of the team.

Athletics NZ Out of Stadia Co-ordinator John Bowden said: “We are pleased with our initial selection team which comprises a large number of athletes, who already boast World Cross Country Championships experience.

“There will be a significant number of other athletes will be added to the team in the new year when we announce the final selections.” 

The initial selected athletes for the 2024 World Cross Country Championships

The eight athletes are:

Senior Woman:
Georgie Grgec, Auckland City Athletics, Coach Geoff Jerwood
Anneke Arlidge North harbour Bays, Coach Paul Hamblyn

Junior Women:
Catherine Lund, Ariki Athletics Club, Coaches Rebekah Greene and Alan Moir
Boh Ritchie, Hamilton City Hawks, Coach Angela Russek

Junior Men:
Christian De Vaal, Pakuranga Athletics Club, Coach Mick Byrne
Jamie Mora Whippets Club, Coach Nick Codyre
Matt Hill, Athletics Tauranga, Coach Tom Peterson
Daniel Prescott, Selwyn Athletic Club, Coaches Angie and Sam Petty