By Clay Shaw Photos by Clay Shaw and Karen Mitchell
1.10.26 Tallahassee, FL—Jessica Hull, running anchor on the Australian team, proved to be the difference maker as she took over the lead from France after “the roller-coaster” and increased her lead, running with a purpose. Australia earned bronze in the mixed relay on home soil in Bathurst in 2023.
Ethan Strand of USA took the large pack through the first 2k loop in 5:12, as Australian Oliver Hoare was in the mix. Linden Hall, a Florida State alumni took over the lead on lap 2 with a strong circuit. Jack Antsey ran lap 3 for Australia and hung tough. Antoine Senard of France did hand off with the lead after lap 3, handing off to Agathe Guillemont. France held strong for the silver medal, their first in this event.
Jessica Hull and her Australian teammates celebrated with a 22:23 win over France (22:26) and Ethiopia (22:34). Kenya was fourth, the USA was fifth, followed by South Africa, Great Britain, Uganda, Canada, and Japan.
Fifteen teams competed in the mixed relay event that featured the state capitol start, the roller coaster, Florida beaches, the water pit, alligator alley, the everglades and mud pit. All the obstacles were mandatory.
Team Results
22:23 AUSTRALIA
22:26 FRANCE
22:34 ETHIOPIA
22:42 Kenya
22:43 United States
23:04 South Africa
23:11 Great Britain
23:43 Uganda
23:43 Canada
24:08 Japan
24:11 Tanzania
24:13 India
24:38 China
24:48 New Zealand
25:11 Mexico
Jessica Hull of Australia finishes with a smile, as she ran a fantastic final lap to give Team Australia the win.
Ethan Strand of the USA leads at the beginning of the Mixed Relay coming off the roller-coaster.
First lap action at the Florida Beach with Silas Chemutai (UGA), Reynold Cheruiyot (KEN), Daniel Sinda (TAN), Ethan Strand (USA), Oliver Hoare (AUS), Wegene Adisu (ETH) changing through the sand.
Big snake on the course as Ningkain Sun of China and Ajay Kumar Saroj of India run on by. No issues, as the snake chilled in the woods before future laps.
Former Florida State runner Linden Hall of Australia ran a strong second lap to give Australia the lead.
Jack Antsey of Australia leads the field on the third lap of the Mixed Relay.
Antoine Senard of France ran a strong third lap, giving France a small lead.
Christopher Swart of South Africa charges through the beach scene followed by Wes Porter of the USA. Kyumbe Munguti of Kenya and Milkesa Fikadu of Ethiopia stay in the hunt.
Wes Porter of the USA hands off to Gracie Morris in the relay zone. The Ethiopians handing off behind them moved up to take the bronze medals, finishing third.
Agathe Guillemont of France and Jessica Hull of Australia are dead even on early stages of the final lap.
Gracie Morris of the USA and Hirut Meshesha of Ethiopia are underway on the final lap. Meshesha ran a strong leg, bring Ethiopia into third and earning the bronze.
Gracie Morris of the USA finishes just behind Kenya’s Purity Chepkirui. The USA was fifth; Kenya was fourth.
Happy Australians after winning the World XC mixed relay. Jessica Hull, Jack Anstey, Oliver Hoare, and Linden Hall.
Team France earned the silver medal. Antoine Senard, Agathe Guillemot, Sarah Madeleine, and Alexis Miellet.
Team Ethiopia won bronze. Milkesa Fikadu, Gela Hambese, Hirut Meshesha, and Wegene Adisu.
Runner's Gazette 
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