Athletics Victoria XCR 3: 8K Cross Country

The Athletics Victoria XCR 3 is an 8 km cross country race held in Bendigo, Victoria, starting at St Anne's Winery. This event is part of Athletics Victoria's winter XCR series, which stands for X-Country & Road. The series combines off-road and road races throughout Victoria, catering to both club and everyday runners across all skill levels, not just elite athletes. The Bendigo race offers a vineyard setting, a feature that distinguishes it among the XCR courses. The broader XCR season includes a variety of locations and formats, such as inner-city courses, rural hills, relays, and different distances, ensuring variety throughout the calendar. Participants often describe XCR as a social and team-oriented series. Younger runners note the fast pace from the beginning, while more experienced runners appreciate the opportunity to compete against athletes from across Victoria and race for their clubs as well as for individual rankings.