READY, set go! The Northern Metropolitan Region (NMR) cross country will be held again at the Kilmore Racing Club, as a track that helps young athletes to find a pathway into professional sport.
Firstly, primary school students across grade three to six competed against each other as part of their Physical Education school curriculum earlier this year.
If they are willing, they can go on to compete against other local schools in the Mitchell District Cross Country.
When this event was held Saint Patricks Primary school finished first with 99 points, Wandong Primary School, not too far behind finished on 72 points, while Beveridge Primary School finished third with 57 points.
Kilmore Racecourse first hosted primary school age divisional cross-country races in 2023 after School Sport Victoria (SSV) approached them to use the venue.
Kilmore’s racing club has top notch dining facilities, grandstands and plenty of parking.
They hosted the 2025 Woodlands and Whittlesea Division Cross Country Championships last Wednesday with regional schools putting their best foot forward.
Athletes started on the turf and exited only to run along parts of the community walking track and Hunts Road before returning to the turf for the final sprint across the finish line, 2 km for those aged 9-10 and 3 km for the next age group, 12-13 years.
The SSV hands out ribbons to 12 placegetters in each race and also promotes them to run in next week’s NMR cross country on Wednesday, June 18.
Those fastest athletes will be invited to compete at the SSV State Championships later this year. There is talk that Kilmore Racing Club will also host the State championships.