Central boy, Eastern girl best at cross country

Men’s gold medallist Vicknaraj Vakshan

Women’s gold medallist Rasara Wijesooriya

By Susil Premalal

Emerging long-distance runners Vicknaraj Vakshan of the Central Province and Rasara Wijesooriya of the Eastern Province claimed the men’s and women’s gold medals respectively at the Golden Jubilee National Sports Festival (NSF) 2026 Cross Country Championship held at the Racecourse ground in Nuwara Eliya.

The cross-country event marked the opening competition of the Golden Jubilee National Sports Festival 2026 calendar, which features 32 sports and is jointly organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Department of Sports Development.

A total of 122 athletes representing all nine provinces took part in the championship comprising of 77 male and 45 female competitors.

Vakshan won the men’s title by completing the course in 33 minutes and 28.81 seconds. Fellow Central Province runner Kujendra Prasan finished second in 33:40.01 while M. Gopinathan of Uva Province secured third place in 34:00.41.

In the women’s event, Rasara Wijesooriya was victorious with a winning time of 38:05.96. Chamini Herath of Central Province finished second in 38:35.78 while Madushani Herath, also from Central Province, took third place in 39:48.67.

Uva Province and Central Province emerged as the overall team champions in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Men’s results:

Vicknaraj Vakshan (Central Province) – 33:28.81

Kujendra Prasan (Central Province) – 33:40.01

M. Gopinathan (Uva Province) – 34:00.41

Sanmmugeshwaran – 34:24.54

M.S.A. Fernando (Western Province) – 34:39.56

Team Champions: Uva Province

Women’s results:

Rasara Wijesooriya (Eastern Province) – 38:05.96

Chamini Herath (Central Province) – 38:35.78

Madushani Herath (Central Province) – 39:48.67

A.N.L. Ariyadasa (Sabaragamuwa Province) – 40:52.48

P.G.S.S. Wimalasuriya (Central Province) – 41:05.60

Team Champions: Central Province