The Austrians take gold from France and Ethiopia in the 4x2km race in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday.
Aussie middle-distance runners were making big strides in sun, sand and a bit of ‘sunny running’ as runners tackled the wooden ‘alligator alley’ in the first race of the world championships in Tallahassee.
The Australians held off a spirited challenge from France as the Ethiopian team who had visa problems on the eve of the eventtook the third place.
USA’s Ethan Strand and Kenya’s Reynold Cheruiyot led the runners home on stage one, with George Cootee just a few seconds behind Britain in the fight.
Linden Hall held off Australia’s Ollie Hoare in the second round to take his country into the lead. Pulling away from his rivals, Hall then reached the changeover point with a clear lead as Britain’s India Weir handed Adam Fogg in seventh place.
In the third game, France narrowly went through when Antoine Senard edged Australia’s Jack Anstey down “alligator alley” as Fogg was left isolated in the seventh for Britain.
Australia made a more emphatic exit from the finals, however, thanks to anchor runner Jess Hull.
Just three seconds back, Agathe Guillemot kept France in second, while Hirut Meshesha brought Ethiopia home in third.
Purity Chepkirui anchored defending champions Kenya in fourth place while Gracie Morris finished fifth for the host nation.
Britain failed to match the bronze medal they won in Belgrade two years ago as Alex Millard led the team back to seventh place.
