McNeill has been busy throughout the past 13 years, the 32-year-old competing at the London and Rio Olympics and he used all of that experience to surge past a quality field in the final kilomteres of the 10km race.

An attack with 2km remaining allowed McNeill to break away from Andrew Buchanan and Ed Goddard, who went on to finish second and third respectively.

Buchanan was a leading contender for victory, the Victorian chasing his third-straight Australian Cross Country title.

McNeill, who trains with Bulli's Ryan Gregson in Melbourne, revealed that a pre-race chat with coach Nic Bideau provided him with the edge over his rivals.

"I'm thrilled, it's a nice little slice of redemption after the last couple of years," McNeill said. "I asked Nic for some advice during the week, and he said to just keep Andy (Buchanan) in your sights and you might be able to get over him if you're there at the finish."

"But the plan had always been to wait until 2km at the earliest, and that's where I threw in a bit of a move and it was lucky enough to get me the win."

With the men's race over, it was time for the women to compete for the inaugural Kerryn McCann Medal.

The medal was established in honour of the Illawarra product who went on to claim two Commonwealth Games gold medals and three Australian Cross Country titles in an illustrious career.

McCann lost a battle with breast cancer in 2008.

Read more: Wollongong Wolves rue missed opportunities after shock finals exit

The women's race saw some of Australia's top long-distance runners make the trip to Wollongong, with Olympian Jenny Blundell, two-time Australian champion Courtney Powell and 45-year-old veteran Belinda Martin all featuring.

Ultimately, however, it was 2011 champion Emily Brichacek who prevailed in a tough race.

A move with 1km to go by promising youngster Rose Davies broke up the leading pack, with the contest becoming a race between two.

Davies was unable to drop Brichacek, who attacked up the final hill 300m from the finish to pull away from her rival and claim her second national cross country title.

Newcastle's Davies ultimately finished second, with Victorian veteran Kiah Fry in third.

"I've been lucky enough to win a couple as a junior and now a couple in the Open," Brichacek said. "I just love cross country, it's great to be back here.

"I needed to run smart today, there was a quality field and you couldn't underestimate anyone, so I watched what was going on and looked for the moves."

While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20 per cent off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.