Olympic 1500-meter silver medallist Jessica Hull ran down France’s Agathe Guillemot on the final leg to secure Australia’s first-ever gold medal in the mixed relay at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee on Saturday.
Jessica Hull Chased Down French Runner
Hull received the baton two seconds behind Guillemot but gradually reeled in the European indoor 1500-meter champion. With one kilometer remaining, Hull had taken a two-second lead that she would never surrender.
The Australian team of Olli Hoare, Linden Hall, Jack Anstey and Hull finished in 22:23, three seconds ahead of France. Ethiopia claimed bronze in 22:34, while four-time winners Kenya missed the podium for the first time ever in this event.
For their efforts, the Aussies pocketed USD $12,000 for the victory, while France earned $8000, Ethiopia $6000, and Kenya $4000.
Australia Field Strong Team
Australia’s decision to field its strongest possible team paid off handsomely. The quartet improved on their bronze medal from the 2023 championships with a convincing victory.
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Hall set up Hull’s heroics with a dominant second leg that gave Australia a six-second lead at the halfway point. The Olympic 1500-meter finalist made easy work of the course’s challenging obstacles, including alligator-shaped wooden logs and muddy sections.
However, France’s Antoine Senard closed the gap on the third leg, catching Australia’s Anstey and taking the lead. Senard handed off to Guillemot with a two-second advantage, setting up a dramatic final 2 kilometers.
Hull dug deep through the logs and mud on the anchor leg, holding off Guillemot’s determined challenge in the closing stages. Her strong finish secured Australia’s first gold medal in the mixed relay and marked a historic upset of the Kenyan team.
Hosts United States, with a quartet of Ethan Strand, Sage Hurta-Klecker, Wes Porter, and Gracie Morris, was fifth with 22:43. The Americans were followed by the South African team in sixth place with a time of 23:04, Great Britain & NI, clocked 23:11, and Uganda, 23:43, rounded out the top 8.
Mixed Relay Results
10 JAN 2026
| Position | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Australia | 22:23 |
| 🥈 | France | 22:26 |
| 🥉 | Ethiopia | 22:34 |
| 4 | Kenya | 22:42 |
| 5 | United States | 22:43 |
| 6 | South Africa | 23:04 |
| 7 | Great Britain | 23:11 |
| 8 | Uganda | 23:43 |
Complete results are available here
