Claudia Meaker – Australia’s youngest ever athlete to compete at World Junior XC

3 February 2023

Claudia Meaker – Australia’s youngest ever athlete to compete at World Junior XC

Sydney’s Claudia Meaker, aged just 15 years, will make history when she lines up at the start of the under-20 race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.

At just 15 years and 109 days, she becomes the youngest ever Australian to compete in the under-20 events (men or women) at the World Cross Country Championships, surpassing Suzy Walsham who was 15 years and 115 days in 1989. [However, note Sharon Dalton was a day younger (15y 108d) when she competed in the senior event at the 1983 WXC.] Meaker is also the youngest Aussie to compete in any under-20 world championship for Australia for over a decade.

Meaker secured selection in the Australian team after placing sixth in the Australian trial in January. Her selection far exceeded any expectation of selection going into the trial.

“My goal going into the WXC trial was to not blow up – it was the longest distance I have raced. I wanted to run an even paced race and just finish. I didn’t have any expectations as to how I would go, I really had no idea how I would place.”

Meaker reflected on her selection.

“I am so excited and honoured to compete for Australia – I still can’t believe it,” she said. “I have always thought that one day I would love to represent my country, so I am just so thrilled to have this amazing opportunity at the World Cross Country Championships. I can’t wait!”

Adding to the experience, she will compete on home soil.

“I feel so lucky to be running in a major championship in Australia with my family and friends close by to share the excitement and experience with me. I am sure their support will bring the best out in me.”

It has been a successful summer for Meaker who in December won the Australian All Schools under-16 3000m. This week she lowered her 3000m PB by five seconds running 9:48.00 at the Milers Meet in Sydney.

Claudia is also a very talent soccer player and touch footballer and in the profile below, she encourages the idea of maintaining a mix of sports.

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Claudia Meaker’s journey in sport started in soccer when she joined her local under-6s team. Athletics was not far behind for Claudia.

“My running started when I ran my first school cross country in year two, I won taking me to zone and then regionals. I made it all the way to state where I finished towards the back of the pack,” she said. Her pathway in running continued in Little Athletics, as she combined State level touch football and National Premier League division 1 soccer.

“I had a breakthrough in my running after the covid-19 lockdowns. The lockdowns allowed me to get consistency into my running while my other sport trainings had stopped. Since then, I have made more of an effort to fit in running around other sport training, but one thing that has worked well for me – is to keep playing lots of other sports alongside running.”

In early 2022, aged 14, Claudia clocked impressive times of 2:13.57 (800m) and 4:32.06 (1500m) - the later time when placing seventh in the under-16 Australian Championship. By years end, she was the Australian under-16 3000m champion in a 10 seconds PB time of 9:53.30. That form continues in early 2023 placed sixth in the World Athletics XC trial and securing selection in the Australian team for the World Cross Country. She follows her mother, Michelle O’Rourke who also competed for Australia – at the inaugural World Junior Athletics Championships, held in Athens in 1986. Michelle competed in the 800m heats and in the 4x400m relay with the team which progressed to the final. A teammate in the relay is current Mackellar Federal Parliamentarian Sophie Scamps.

Memorable sporting achievement: Winning a national gold in the 3000m…Idols: Ellyse Perry and Jessica Hull. I admire Ellyse because she represented Australia in soccer and cricket at the same time. I have been following Jessica Hull for the past couple of years and I love watching her race…Most influential person in your career: My mum because she takes me to all my trainings and competitions, and she is always there to cheer me on and give me advice…Advice to your young self: One thing that has worked well for me – is to keep playing lots of other sports alongside running… Biggest challenge you've faced: I think my biggest challenge will be the World Cross Country in Bathurst!! With hundreds of the best distance runners in the world competing on a hard and hilly course over 6km….it will definitely be a challenge!...What do you like best about competing: I like competing because your performance reflects the work you have put in…Famous relatives: Great grandfather’s cousin was Australia boxer Les Darcy – they were a sporty family - my great grandfather, Augustine O’Rourke, was a rugby league State of Origin player. Cousin, my Joe Pincus, was in the Australian Rugby 7s team at the Tokyo Olympics; my mother Michelle O’Rourke competed at the 1986 World Junior Championships in Athletics and won two Australian junior 800m titles.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Claudia Meaker at the WXC trial (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)