Lachlan Kennedy

The Shanghai Diamond League will be a special event.  We’ll see the greatest number of Australians at a Diamond League, with 16 competing in individual events, including Luke Boyes (800m) and Seth O’Donnell (3000m) making their debuts.  This includes five (yes five!) women in the 1500m – the most ever for Australians in a single event.

Shanghai (or Keqiao) starts the Diamond League year which will look a bit different for a number of reasons.

Firstly, there is no Grand Slam Track.  The largely US-based series of events set-up last year by Michael Johnson, basically in competition with the Diamond League, had an ignominious ending.  Finances were its major fault line in the end, but were also what shook the Diamond League, and arguably resulted in increased prize money.

This year the League has doubled the number of Diamond+ events at each meet, now eight.  Diamond+ events have double the prizemoney for the winner who receives US$20k instead of US$10k, although prizemoney for other placings doesn’t double during the meets this year.

Without GST we’ll also likely see a greater numbers of USA athletes joining the Diamond League circuit and seeking qualification for the finals.  An overview of how the Diamond League points scoring works is here.

Also it’s an “off-season”, meaning there’s no Olympics or World Championships.  Athletes may feel more emboldened to seek faster times and try different events, rather than a more cautious build-up for the major championships.

We’ve already seen Josh Kerr announce his 222 mile attempt for the London Diamond League and Faith Kipyegon is going after the mile world record at Prefontaine.  Rai Benjamin looks to be focusing on the 400m flat, and there’s much anticipation for Femke Bol’s first 800m at a Diamond League.

While not a major Championship, there is the new World Ultimate event, announced around the time of GST’s emergence.  To be held in Budapest in September, that’s another incentive for athletes to compete in the Diamond League, given participation at World Ultimate is based on world rankings, and the best way to gain ranking points is through a good performance at the Diamond League.

A more attractive and competitive Diamond League is great for the fans but may mean it makes it harder for Australian athletes to get a start.  Last year we saw the most number of Australian compete in Diamond League events (26 athletes), and these two initial Chinese events (Xiamen next week) provide the best chance for Australians to prove their credentials and be invited back.

Shanghai Diamond League

The broadcast will start at 9pm (aest) on Saturday, but a few athletes will be well into their events by then. 

Liam Adcock made the world pay attention this time last year when he almost won at the opening Diamond League in Xiamen.  He then went on to win a classic Diamond League event in Rome, beating Mattia Furlani on his final jump.  In this field he’s boasting the equal seasons best, but is joined by World Champion Furlani, and three other competitors in the world's top 10.  Not a point scoring event for the Diamond League finals, but points count for world rankings, and Adcock will be keen to shore-up an invitation for World Ultimate (currently ranked 10th with 8 spots available)

Speaking of world-ranked colleagues, this pole vault troupe seems to travel as one.  But the great camaraderie amongst the vaulters has its downside – you’re always competing against the absolute world best.  At Shanghai eight of the top ten have gathered.  As the namesake of the league suggests, pressure makes diamonds, and this is true for Kurtis Marschall who first competed in the League in 2017 when he was just 20 years old.  Being comfortable in the camaraderie cauldron has seen him rise above the pressure to shine and win three global championship medals, as well as stand on six Diamond League podiums – the 7th best by an Australian male.

Also before the broadcast will be the 5000m for women, where Rose Davies and Maudie Skyring compete against one of the world’s greats, Faith Kipyegon.  The pace will be on and both Davies and Skyring will see it as a good chance to test the limits, after some tactical racing recently in less than ideal conditions.  Aside from placing in the top eight and getting some Diamond League points, Skyring will be looking for a sub 15:13 time to move ahead of Jessica Hull in the Commonwealth rankings and #3 Australian.  Davies looks safe for Commonwealth consideration, but could boost her world ranking to position for the 12 spots at World Ultimate.

The first Australian we’ll see in the broadcast window is Cara Feain-Ryan in a large (20!) and highly competitive 3000m steeplechase.  With no steeplechase events at World Ultimate the Diamond League final becomes the major focus for these athletes, which explains the big field. Feain-Ryan will also be looking to improve her #10 Commonwealth ranking with a sub 9:30 effort.

The men’s 800m is probably the most open event for the meet.  Peter Bol faces the man who finished ahead of him at the last Commonwealth Games, Wyclife Kinyamal who actually holds the meet record in Shanghai (1:43.91).  They are joined by Ben Pattison as the 1:42 men in the field.  Luke Boyes has his debut Diamond League and given the form he showed during the domestic season, you’d expect he’ll be in amongst it.

Matthew Denny, two-time Diamond League champion, is joined by the other discus champions from the previous 7 years, save for world record holder Mykolas Alekna.  German Steven Richter has emerged this year as a contender to challenge, boosting his PB by five metres in Ramona, when finishing just 4cm behind of Denny's 74.04m effort.  On the back of Ramona, could Denny be looking at Alkena's Diamond League record of 71.70m?  Valerie Allman was just over a metre off the women's record last year, so conditions can be favourable in Shanghai for big throws.  Jessica Hull is the only Australian currently holding a Diamond League record with her 2000m World Record time of 5:19.70 set in Monaco in 2024.

Torrie Lewis will have memories of the first Diamond League event two years ago, and her surprise victory in the 200m.  Hard to forget the immediate post-race footage of Lewis looking to celebrate with the other athletes, who seemed unaware or unwilling to recognise that the 19-year-old Australian on the outside lane had never been headed.  Sha’carri Richardson and Anavia Battle were there two years ago, and run again in Shanghai, in a race where interest will also focus on Shericka Jackson’s early season form.

Seth O’Donnell is the other Australian to debut, racing the 3000m in a big field.  It was a much smaller field last year in Folksom, Sweden where O’Donnell chased Andreas Almgren, with both setting their PBs over 3000m.  Almgren has been setting things alight on the roads this year, and faces strong Kenyan and Ethiopian competition, including the two Cheruiyot’s who bring their 1500m speed.

One of the races of the meet will see Lachlan Kennedy take on some of the world’s fastest.  Watch for the start between Kennedy and Christian Colemen – both explosive out of the blocks.  Some commentators are buying into the “let’s see how Kennedy runs overseas” tag line, which is strange given he first broke 10 seconds in Kenya, and won silver at World Indoors in China.  Let's see Kennedy continue to rise amongst the worlds best.

Don’t go to bed before 10.30pm.  The women’s 1500m is an Australian special – 5 of the 6 all-time Australians racing in something of a re-match of the thwarted 1500m Nationals final.  That was tactical affair, with Abbey Caldwell & Claudia Hollingsworth able to unleash their kicks, whereas this will be paced and gives Jessica Hull a chance to display her brazen front-running.  The question will be, can the others hang on?  Kenya’s Dorcus Ewoi and Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom will be keen to spoil any thoughts of a unique Australian 1-2-3, and there's enough talent in this field that could see Faith Kipyegon's meet record of 3:56.82 under threat. 

Commonwealth Rankings

Good to remember this is a big weekend for athletes to improve their Commonwealth ranking and therefore nomination for the Commonwealth Games team given the qualifying period closes 31-May.  At the moment if all Australians ranked in the top 10 were selected, this would reach the maximum team size of 63.  Some with a performance standard actually fall outside a top 10 rank, so selectors have their work cut-out in this discretionary phase, balancing medal chances according to the rankings, with high performers with the standard. 

There are other key events this weekend where we’ll see Australian athletes push their claims.

SEIKO Golden Grand Prix, Tokyo

Coming off his ninth fastest ever 400m relay split of 43.12 at World Relays, Reece Holder faces a crack 400m field including Mazala Samukonga, Vernon Norwood and Rai Benjamin.  His relay team mates, two of whom also split sub-44s, are racing in Darwin at the Oceania Championships next week, and there’s something of a clock ticking for one of them to break the National 400m record of 44.38 set by Darren Clark way back in 1988.

In the 1500m, Jude Thomas, Alex Stitt and Callum Davies are all seeded highly and it could turn into a race between the three of them for the win.  For the winner there's prizemoney, quality world ranking points given its a category A meet, but not sure if a watch is also on offer.

After his stunning 20.21 PB at Nationals, Calab Law continued that form into World Relays and will be keen to post another strong claim for a spot in the individual 200m event at the Commonwealth Games.

While not yet reaching the heights of previous years, Yual Reath seems to enjoy the overseas events, and it was in this event two years ago he PB’ed with 2.30m.  The field includes seven other 2.30m+ jumpers including Sanghyeok Woo and Shelby McEwen.

You get the sense there’s a big one brewing for Chris Mistrevski, having been consistently around the eight metre mark this year.  He jumped his second best jump ever in Japan (8.24m) and something similar would solidify his top 10 Commonwealth ranking.

NCAA Conference Championships

For some Australian athletes in the USA, the Commonwealth qualification adds extra significance for what is already a big weekend with the NCAA Div I Conference Championships.

In the Big TEN Championship we’ll see Hayley Kitching (Penn State) & Edward Nketia (USC) compete.  Nketia has his sights set on sub-10 after his extraordinary 9.84 (+2.8).  Kitching is currently ranked #16 in the Commonwealth, but is fourth Australian, although one of those is Jessica Hull who may not seek an 800m spot.  Can Kitching challenge her PB of 1:59.22 from earlier this year and push into the 1:58 territory?

Marley Raikiwasa (Auburn) recently threw a discus PB (57.53m) which ranks her #11 in Commonwealth.  Competing in the SEC Conference this weekend, she will look to improve on that and push into the top 10.

Ben Conacher (Virginia Tech) set his pole vault PB last year (5.61m) but has struggled to get to those heights this year, unfortunately no heighting at Nationals.  A vault over 5.50m at the ACC Championships this weekend would put him well inside the Commonwealth top 10.

With over 100 Australians now competing for colleges in the NCAA, you can find their college schedules and Conference Championship links here. 

Still to come ... 

Overall a fascinating weekend for Australian athletics, followed closely next week by the Oceania Championships where a strong team of Australians have been selected to compete. 

There's still plenty of big meets before the end of the month (two more Diamond Leagues, some major USA and European meets, and NCAA Regional finals) so make sure you add your favourite athletes and meets to your watchlist and you won't miss a thing.

Enjoy!

A wrap of this amzing Championships coming shortly 
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Some updates from the track - I have seen Jessica Hull near the warm-up track so looks like she'll be running the 5000m.  Unfortunately Kennedy is not running the 200m, and Liz Clay did not start in the 100m hurdles.

I raised the question below if there'd be an upset in the women's discus and Ashlyn Blackstock has indeed taken the title from Taryn Gollshewsky with a 5th round throw of 55.92m.  Tricky conditions with the wind swirling at the moment.
Which also makes it hard for the long jumpers - but Delta Amidzovski and Brooke Buschkuehl are putting on a show of quality jumping - Delta leads by 3 cm currently with 6.62m. And then wow - Buschkuehl wins on her last jump - getting out to 6.67m.

In the 200m qualifying, last years champion Jessica Milat did not unfortunately qualify for the final.  In the men's Gout Gout flew to a 20.11 (+0.4) win in his heat ... look out the 20 second barrier in the final.
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The last day of what's been a fascinating Australian Championships .. 17 finals to be contested:

In the field, a highlight will be the women's high jump, where two of Australia's greatest athletes going head-to-head, Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson.
In the women's long jump can Delta Amidzovski repeat her sensational jumping from the qualifying or can another great champion, six-time title holder Brooke Buschkuehl challenge her? 
Women's discus see's another multiple title holder Taryn Gollshewsky go for her 6th title - can someone cause an upset

For the men, we have the 6-metre-man Kurtis Marschall vault for his 9th title. 
The long jump has been a close contest this year, with Liam Adcock leading the way but Alex Epitropakis and Chris Mitrevski have showed winning form.  Adcock & Mitrevski have been sharing the title the last four years - according to the pattern it's Mitrevski's turn.
The javelin throwers will need to navigate some tricky winds. Cameron McEntyre almost hit 80 metres in qualifying and will be hard to beat. 
Alex Kolesnikoff since returning from the USA college system, has had some good battles with Aiden Harvey who is going for his fifth straight title - this will be a contest to watch.

On the track the we have men's steeplechase where Ben Buckingham has shown the best form this season, but you can't count out Australian record holder Ed Trippas. 
Also jumping obstacles we have heats and finals for the 110m hurdles, and the final of the 400m hurdles, where Matthew Hunt goes in as favourite, but keep your eye on Ashley Moloney.  Each race his stride pattern improves, and with a 45.82 best over the flat, if he's close towards the finish he'll be storming home.
A fascinating 800m final is in store and while Peter Bol is firm favourite, there is so much talent in this field that an upset wouldn't surprise.

Lachlan Kennedy and Gout Gout face off in the 200m.  Can Kennedy do the double? - not done since 2016 (Alex Hartmann) and if successful Kennedy will be the youngest since 1999 when a 20-year-old Matt Shirvington took it out - he'll be trackside commentating this 200m and listen for the crowd as Gout makes his charge over the final 60 metres.

Speaking of doubles, how many women have completed the classic 800/1500m at the championships?  Claudia Hollingsworth could join them but as with the men's 800m she faces a stacked field.
The heats of the women's 100m hurdles will help us see the form for the final, particularly that of Liz Clay who hasn't raced this year but blasted her best time last year to defeat Michelle Jenneke in the final.  Sarah Carli goes in as strong favourite over the long hurdles. 
Monique Hanlon hasn't lost a 200m race this year, and after her 4th in the 100m, you'd back her to keep the unbeaten record.
How the women's 5000m plays out depends to some extent as to whether Jessica Hull has recovered from the fall in the 1500m, and will toe the start line. Rose Davies' tactics could differ from her normal sit and kick if Hull's in the field.

... thoughts on yesterday to come ...

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In the field the women's javelin ended up being a close affair.  Mackenzie Little gets the win 58.76m, but only 48cm ahead of Lianna Davidson, with Mackenzie Mialczarek another 81cm behind.

The men's high jump saw Roman Anastasios clear 2.20m on his first attempt to take his first title, Yual Reath second and Brandon Starc in his first comp back after injury third.
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More excitement on the track with the 100m & 800m semi-finals, 400m finals
In the women's 100m semis there'll be a few disappointed to miss the final, the Olivas (Rose Inkster, Hastings Dodds) all ran 11.73 but Inkster got the last time qualifier.  Great to see Riley Day back in finals, and Georgia Harris ran a quick semi to put her into the mix. 

In the mens 100m you'd think Lachlan Kennedy was saving something for the final tonight (but still ran 10.05), with others qualifying as expected with perhaps Alexander Colgan the surprise omission.

Qualifiers into the women's 800m final were as per the rankings.  Klara Dess's qualification means she will not run the 5000m (was entered for the treble as well).

The men's qualification did not go to plan for Peyton Craig, making a blunder slowing towards the line without checking his opposition, and getting pipped for 2nd, and not making it as a time qualifier.  Given four men already have the standard, and will race the final, Craig will have to do something super special time wise over the next 8 weeks to get discretionary selection.  Alex Hanigan benefited from Craig's slip up and runs in the final his dad won in 1994 & 1998.
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The start of the evening session for Saturday ... and what a day it was Friday.  Still digesting all the excitement, but when you find out the winner of the women's 1500m only a couple of hours ago then that's not surprising.

We saw a 19-year-old in Cameron Myers do something no one in the World has ever done - run sub 3:30 before May
We saw a 22-year-old in Lachlan Kennedy do something no one in Australia has ever done - run sub-10 seconds in Australia
And we saw Claudia Hollingsworth - who turns 21 tomorrow! - take our her second National open title, in unfortunate circumstances, but sets up a fascinating 800m final for tomorrow assuming all the leading contenders get through tonights heats.

Myers and Hollingsworth join the list from this weekends championships who are eligible for automatic nomination for the Commonwealth Games, with Kennedy joining tonight if he wins the title.

Who else could join them tonight?  The men's 400m final has two with the CG standard, so if Reece Holder or Cooper Sherman win they get an auto-nomination.  However given the form of Luke van Ratingen and Thomas Reynolds, they could also have an eye on cracking the 44.85 standard and a surprise win.

Unfortunately Jemma Pollard has scratched from the women's 400m final, but it will be a fascinating contest between Ellie Beer and Mia Gross - is the 50.75 standard within reach? - with Alice Dixon and Alexia Loizou looking to continue their PB form and perhaps score a surprise win.

In the field, Mackenzie Little has the standard so a win tonight will put her name forward.  Lianne Davidson hasn't flown all the way from Georgia, USA for nothing so this will be a close contest, and Davidson has a PB over the 62 metre standard.

And how can we forget Nina Kennedy going in the pole vault final.  She jumped the standard off her shortened run-up at Maurie Plant - will she extend the steps and use that momentum to push into the 4.80's?

We've already seen one final today - Men's hammer throw where the favourite took out the title - he's extended his PB to 71.21m this year, so will likely press for that 73 metre standard for the cut off (31st May)

The standard is not essential for selection (just for the auto-nomination at these Championships). In their discretionary selections, selectors can also look at how athletes are ranked in the Commonwealth.  Yesterdays result in the heptathlon has set up an fascinating dilema.  Australia already had 3 athletes ranked in the top 5 (Camryn Newton-Smith, Tori West & Emelia Surch).  Mia Scerri's title win and point score will push her up close to Surch's ranking (Surch did not compete at the Championships due to injury).  Will the selectors opt for trhee heptathletes, and then which three do they chose?  

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Friday

Well ... that didn't turn out as expected!  Jessica Hull tripped in the final straight as Claudia Hollingsworth tried to move out from the rail when the gap closed.  Protests being discussed at the moment apparently ... and Hollingsworth is disqualified so Sarah Billings is the Australian 1500m Champion finishing 0.04 ahead of Abbey Caldwell, with Georgia Griffith 3rd.

But then the men's was more to script, with Cameron Myers completely dominant and Oliver Hoare perhaps finds that run he will feels better represents his training.
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The women's triple jump final has seen some great jumping with 3 women over 13 metres.  Desleigh Owusu was a strong favourite and and jumped twice over 13.50m, with 13.58m her best to date.  Tiana Boras got out to 13.21m on her second attempt and Chloe Grande 12.98m on her third, to be 3rd Australian.
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Stephanie Ratcliffe went into the hammer throw as firm favourite and took control of the comp with 67.71m on her third throw to take the title, with Lara Roberts finishing with 65.51m on her last.  Ratcliffe's breaks through for her first senior title after winning three silvers.
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Watching Lachlan Kennedy run 10.03 (+0.3) on a cold night in Melbourne you thought there was something big to come.  A warm evening in Sydney, a newly laid track, and very little breeze ... Kennedy open's his Championships sensationally with the first run under 10 seconds by an Australian in Australia ... 9.96 (+0.2) ... sensational!  
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Women's heptathlon ends in a tense finish with Tori West opening a lead over Mia Scerri of over 4 seconds, and therefore hitting the front overall, but Scerri finishes strongly and ends up winning the contest by 13 points, with a big PB of 6175.  West gets second 6162, and Camryn Newton-Smith third 5887
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The depth of Australian middle distance running is evident when watching the 800m preliminaries - large fields of unseeded athletes just trying to make the heats - racing in big packs, super competitive all the way to the line.  36 men have made the trip to Sydney to fight for the 12 spots, and 20 women for the 13 spots. 
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Being at the track you pick up the vibe ... and there was definitely a vibe around those men as they assembled for the 400m heats.  This final is going to be hot with all the big names through (save Murphy who's focused on the 200m) and good to see Zen Clark make the biggest final of his career.
Jemma Pollard leads the qualifiers in the women's heats, with Alexia Loizou and Alice Dixon continuing their good form after PBing this year.
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Been asking coaches and athletes what they think of the new track ... mostly positive but always good to have some evidence.  In these men's 100m preliminaries there's been 17 PBs in the first 5 races - wind between +0.6 and +1.3.  In Perth last year (the 'fastest' track in Australia) there were 9 PBs in first 5 prelims (wind +0.4 to +1.8) ... not solid stats by any means but definitely looks positive.  Conditions also very good at the moment for the short sprint (with wind forecast to pick up next two days) so might be the night for Lachlan Kennedy to go for it?
For the women it was 11 in 2025 from 1st 4 prelims wind +0.7 to +1.4 and 10 in 2026 wind +0.8 to +1.6
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Shout out to the multievent coaches in Tasmania ... in the under 20 events, Bailey Van den Broek and Isabella Wing currently in 1st and 2nd in the heptathlon, and Xavier Davie leading the decathlon - all from Tasmania.  
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Men's qualifying in long jump and javelin unfolding.  Long jumpers are benefiting from a tailwind so quite a few have gone beyond the auto-Q mark of 7.70m, Liam Adcock got out to 8.12m (+3.8) first jump, Alex Epitropakis 7.85 (+1.0), Chris Mitrevski 7.84 (+1.4), Harrison Williams 7.77 (+2.2) and Mason McGroder 7.70m (+1.5).  Javelin throwers are negotiating the tricky headwind so fewer with a big Q, Cameron McEntyre 79.27m, Howard McDonald 71.68m and Oscar Sullivan 70.80m.  Neil Janse sits in 5th, with 10 to qualify.
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Qualifying for the women's long jump took a dramatic twist early on when Delta Amidzovski came out for her first jump and soared to 6.84m (+1.3) - her best by 22cm, a Commonwealth Games standard, and goes to #5 all-time Australian.  Others have gone through directly to the final:  Tomysha Clark 6.38m (+1.6), and Brooke Buschkuehl 6.37m (+1.7).  There'll be another 7 to go through to the final 10:50am Sunday (on 7plus)
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The javelin in the Heptathlon about to start ... West has a PB of 53.97m, but best in comp 47.36m, Scerri has 38.78m PB (35.18m in comp).  10 metres equates to about 200 points
After two rounds West has thrown 46.72m and Scerri 37.32m which puts West just 57 points behind.  If no improvement then it all comes down to the 800m, 57 points equates to about 4 seconds.  West's in comp best is 4.5 seconds faster than Scerri's.
That's how it finishes.  Scerri needs a sub 2:18 to get the 6200 standard, West needs a sub 2:14 which would be an overall PB, and Scerri needs to finish with four seconds of West to take the title. Don't miss the 800m, 7.05pm live CH7
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In the multievents, Lenny Robin led the decathlon after the first day with 3776 points, second Logoh Tligi & Connor Duggan 3rd Australian. They race over 110m hurdles first thing this morning

In the heptathlon the long jump has commenced, and what does Mia Scerri do first up - jump an PB of course, 6.30m (+1.0). Based on the current jumps, and using Scerri's overall PB for the javelin, the contest between her and West is now neck-and-neck with the forecast points saying only 2 points difference

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Arrived at the Sydney Olympic Athletics Stadium with its brand new two-toned track
A big day in store with the Heptathlon and Decathlon events concluding.  Also finals for the 1500m, women's triple jump and hammer throw.
According to those who entered the Fantasy Nationals, there was universal support for Cameron Myers to win the 1500m, Desleigh Owusu the triple jump and Stephanie Ratcliffe the hammer throw. Jessica Hull was a clear favourite in the 1500m but a few also thought Claudia Hollingsworth could cause an upset.

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DAY 1: Blog ....

off to catch a flight hopefully
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Womens 1500m heats - 3 heats, first 3 qualify + 3 fastest
H1: Hollingsworth & Griffith through to final with Zoe Meluish, the fastest qualifier time to beat is 4:22.55
H2: Hull & Caldwell through, along with Thornton-Bott, with Klara Dess, who's also down to do the distance treble, currently with fastest non-Q time 4:18
H3: Billings, Ryan & Hancock-Cameron get the big Q, with Stephanie Kelly and Maddison Caulfield join Dess in the final via fastest times.

The main contenders in Women's Hammer and Men's discuss all look to have qualified to finals
Scerri jumped a PB 1.81m but has retired at 1.84m - hopefully not because of injury - she curently leads West & Newton-Smith who both jumped 1.75m.

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Flight was cancelled so unfortunately this is coming from the airport and not live ... looking at results on the screen not quite the same experience!

Multievents:  Seems to be a couple of big names missing.  Emelia Surch not competing in the Heptathlon and Ben Guse not in Decathlon

In the 100m hurdles Kajsa Souter and Tori West runs PBs, Souter's a big 0.2 improvement, while Newton-Smith just behind West.  Mia Scerri, 4th in the last U20 Worlds, also PBed, and currently leads the high jump with an equal PB 1.78m - good start to attempt a first time 6000 point score. 

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There's so much to unpack for the Australian Nationals this year, that its best consumed on a event-by-event and day-by-day basis ... so we'll be providing you with a preview of each day's events, updates during and after events and then end of day analysis ... tune in!

So the Australian Championships are upon us.  We have a beautiful, two-toned, newly-layed track at Sydney’s Olympic Park to host the event.  We have a sunny forecast, hot on Thursday & Friday, slightly cooler, but still sunny for the weekend.  And we have some amazing athletes competing to do their best in what for many will be the pinnacle of their season.

For some it's about Australian titles and medals, and for a select few it's also a chance to put forward their names for selection to compete at the Commonwealth Games.  With the team restricted to 63 athletes, there's lots of discretion in the selection process, with the only guarantee being for those who have achieved the standard (list here), competed at a summer series event and won the National title.

Thursday Preview

A short overview of what to expect on Thursday.  The first day starts with qualifying rounds, preliminary rounds and the multi-events, where every event is like a final.

This will be a tough competition for the multi-eventers in the heat.  In the women’s, Olympians Tori West and Camryn Newton-Smith face last year’s World Uni Games bronze medallist Emelia Surch.  Surch has set a new heptathlon PB score every year since she started competing in the event, and is only 100 points behind Newton-Smith’s best, and 200 behind Wests.  Expect this to be a fascinating event to follow and we’ll provide score updates, as well as forecasts of possible finishing scores along the way.

Benjamin Guse competes in the men’s Decathlon, the event he won at the World Uni Games last year posting an incredible 9 PBs out of 10 events.  He appears to be a long way ahead of the competition in Sydney with Britain’s Sam Talbot and South Australian Logoh Tligi the likely ones to challenge him.

On the track we’ll see the 1500m heats, where the favourites will be keen to stay out of trouble and finish in the top six to qualify for Friday nights final.  This is Jessica Hull’s first leg of her distance treble attempt.  She has won the 1500m three times and the 5000m four times, and a win in the 800m would make her the first woman to achieve the treble, with only John Landy and Simon Doyle achieving it for the men.  Georgia Griffith and Georgie Clarke are the only women to win medals in all three events.

Preliminary rounds for the 400m involve all but the top 15 seeds as they compete for a spot in the first round heats on Friday.  The only other track event being a mixed 4x100m relay between the states.

A busy day in the field, with qualifiers in the women’s hammer and javelin, men’s discus and triple jump for both.  Will be great viewing to see the two Australian hammer reps, and 70 metres plus throwers, Stephanie Ratcliffe and Lara Roberts launch the metal ball.  Also of interest will be how Mackenzie Little goes in her first event since winning javelin bronze in last year’s World Championships, and US-based Lianna Davidson in only her second event of the season.

The men’s discus is missing Matthew Denny who’ll be launching his disc into the wind at ‘thrown town’ Ramona this weekend.  In his absence Darcy Miller, Etienne Rousseau and Ethan Ayodele will look for strong qualifying, with Ayodele taking the title last year.

Men’s triple jump has been highly competitive this year with Connor Murphy, Shemaiah James and Awan Akuen sharing the wins over the summer.  While in the women’s Desleigh Owusu had an unusual domestic loss to Isobel Louison-Roe, but in the absence of the junior athlete, looks to be a strong favourite for the final.

Keep an eye on this page for updates after each event – also the “quick updates” box on the home page for action as it happens.

For a bit of fun why not enter the Fantasy Nationals before 10am Thursday – predict the podium for 10 events of your choice and then cheer on your chosen athletes –  entry form link here.

I like stats.  They keep you grounded.  It’s hard to do hyperbole if the numbers don’t support you.

So when I say this Maurie Plant Meet could see some of the 'greatest' races ever seen in Australia – and that includes the Sydney Olympics – you know I’ve done the numbers on that.
(Some of the potential 'great' races underlined below)

FRIDAY

But first starting with Friday evening’s events, a new initiative that brings in community relays interspersed with mainstream events, including a senior Mixed 4x100m relay.

In the pole vault [Lakeside record: 5.50m]* Dalton di Medio (5.53m) and Lachlan Burns (5.41m) have both set PBs this year and will be looking to fly higher.  As too will the high jumpers.

This is the third time Victoria’s three best high jumpers [2.33m] face off at what is becoming a Maurie Plant Meet tradition.  Roman Anastasios had his first win amongst this trio last year, while overall Yual Reath has finished ahead three times and Joel Baden two.

In the women’s 400m [51.35] Ellie Beer and Carla Bull are building form as they come into Nationals, while Alexia Loizou and Alice Dixon will be looking to continue their PB setting trend this year.

SATURDAY

IN THE FIELD

Saturday's meet starts with the men’s triple jump [17.23m] where Shemaiah James has been upfront about seeking that 16.50m+ jump to put his 2018 PB behind him. He’s improved each comp this year so Saturday could be his day.  Connor Murphy has come back to the field somewhat this season, which has enabled 20-year-old Awan Akuen to finish ahead of him for the first time, with Awan now consistently over the 16 metre mark.

Australian’s are outnumbered by the international field in the women’s discus [66.81m] which will make for a fascinating competition.  Sixty metre plus throwers from Nigeria, Obiageri Amaechi, Cameroon, Nora Monie, and Italy, Daisy Osakue, could well push Taryn Gollshewsky to go over that mark for the first time this season, and potentially edged Ashlyn Blackstock ever closer.

For the first time this year we see Chris Mitrevski compete and it’s always a tight competition when he’s up against Liam Adcock.  They have been long jumping [8.10m] against each other for well over a decade, and despite being 21 days older than Mitrevski, it took Adcock until 2023 before he finally got the better of him.  Since then they are 3-3 head-to-head, and with little between their PBs (Adcock 8.34m / Mitrevski 8.32m), this is a contest to watch.  Jalen Rucker and Shay Veitch (NZ) are both eight metre men and will be keen to cause an upset.

It’s thrills all-around with Olympic Champion Nina Kennedy back competing: thrills for the crowd, thrills for the junior Australian pole vaulters [4.71m] with an opportunity to compete alongside her, thrills to see the competition with Amanda and Hana Moll, the twins from the USA, and no doubt thrills for Kennedy herself to break the monotony of training and recovery.  Thrilling!

Likewise how lucky are we to have Nicole Olyslagers performing in the high jump [1.99m] days after taking silver at World Indoors.  Olyslagers is now one of five Australians with seven global championship medals, but will still have to contend with Izobelle Louison-Roe who is just 1cm off Eleanor Patterson's Australian junior record of 1.96m.

Still on the champions theme, Matthew Denny.  We’ve come to expect big things from him – but when he says he’s feeling in his best form and this is the last event before he heads to “throw town” Ramona, then this discus [68.17m] comp is one you need to watch.  Particularly when another Olympic Champion, Roje Stona (JAM) is here to compete.

TRACK

Women’s 400m hurdles [56.01] in Australia had become a two-way contest between Sarah Carli and Alanah Yukich.  But Marli Wilkinson is approaching career best form and had her first summer series win in Hobart and first victory over Yukich.  Winning can become a habit, but Carli still looks to have the edge, given her recent PB form over the 400m flat.

Australia’s second-youngest ever to break the 4-minute mile, and second fastest junior ever over 3000m, Charles Barrett, gets his chance to run against some of the big names in Australian distance running.  Stewart McSweyn has been building back, as too has Morgan McDonald who visits Australia from his US-base.  Jack Rayner drops down distance for this 3000m [7:41.38] after his recent National half marathon record run.  Throw in NCAA alumni Jackson Sharp & Toby Gillen, steeplechasers Ben Buckingham & Ed Trippas, and two of the fastest in this field, Seth O’Donnell and Irishman Brian Fay; whichever way you look at this, its going to be a cracker of a race.

The state of men’s sprinting in Australia is such that a sub 10.18 PB is what you need to get to race at the Maurie Plant Meet 100m [10.17].  It took almost 25 years to find 11 Australians who could run sub 10.18 after Damian Marsh first did it in 1994, and now only 6 years to find the next 11.  While the record 5-under-10.20-in-the-same-race from the Nationals final last year in Perth is unlikely to be broken, this race still holds plenty of intrigue:  Lachlan Kennedy’s first race over 100m this season, Rohan Browning’s second, Alexander Colgan surprised with a windy 10.01 earlier this year, and New Zealand record holder Tiaan Whelpton (NZL).

In a world where juniors seem to be as competitive as ever, it shouldn't surprise that the fastest woman in Australia this year is an 18-year-old, Zara Hagan (11.16).  She’ll be joined by U16 National record holder Emilia Reed, fastest over 60m this year Olivia Dodds, Ebony Lane who ran 11.16 as well albeit windy, and Chloe Mannix-Power who took the victory in Adelaide.  This women's 100m [11.20] is looking like it could be a blanket finish and settled by the best dip on the line.

On the theme of returning champions working back to their best, the 3000m [8:34.30] features Rose Davies and Georgia Griffith, over a distance that best pits Griffith’s speed with Davies’ strength.  They are joined by a host of juniors who are in a tight battle for an edge before their cut-throat Nationals in April where first two across the line are likely selected given most have the standard.

Australia's three sub-45 men, Reece Holder, Aidan Murphy and Cooper Sherman take on Jacory Patterson (USA) in this 400m [45.14] which is likely the race of the meet.  Consider Luke van Ratingen has had two races back on the track this season and PB’ed in both, now down to 45.10.  This makes Thomas Reynolds the “slowest” man in the field with his 45.17 PB.  Not slow! ... that time would have qualified him for the Sydney Olympics final, a final in which 3 men went under 45 seconds, the record number in Australia on 3 occasions.  With this field boasting five men with sub-45 PBs, and two very close, there’s a good chance Australia will never have seen a 400m race like this.

A few years ago if you said there will be five Australians in an 800m [1:44.78] field, and the slowest was 1:44.38, people would questioned your predictive powers, particularly given it took 50 years for Ralph Doubell's 800m National record of 1:44.40 to be broken.  The front running, 2024 National champion, Luke Boyes, won’t be phased at being the 'slowest' as he knows how to win against this field, particularly with Peter Bol & Bob Abdelrahim travelling back from Europe.  It was Perth Nationals last year where we first saw three Australians under 1:45 in the same race, and a Sydney Olympics semi-final saw four internationals sub-1:45s, something these Australians could better with Peyton Craig & Daniel Williams making up the five under 1:45.

When then John Landy 1500m [3:34.98] has a 1:45 800m man in Brad Mathas (NZL) to pace, then it suggests the pacing is going to be fast.  You can almost guarantee Cameron Myers will be slotting right in behind him.  Or will he?  There’s a few others who like that on-the-front-shoulder positioning: World Indoors bronze medallist, Adam Spencer, US-based German, Robert Farken, and Australian indoor 1000m record holder, Jack Anstey.   Callum Davies has shown he’s the form athlete this year, while Jude Thomas will look to make his mark on his return to the track in 2026.  Doubtful we'll see eight athletes under 3:38 which is the record in Australia from when the IAAF Grand Prix FInal was hosted in Melbourne, 2001.  But could we see an Australian challenge Myers home soil record of 3:33.30?

Women’s 100m hurdles [12.49] sees Michelle Jenneke, after facing the worlds quickest at World Indoors, now facing the challenge domestically.  With Celeste Mucci back racing, Emily Britton and Danielle Shaw showing good form this year, and Delta Amidzovski always looking for that next level, Jenneke won’t be taking this race lightly.  Unlikely this will be a Japanese clean-sweep of the podium as it was last year.

Olympic, World Championship and World Indoors Champions are competing at Maurie Plant, but none so recently crowned as Georgia Hunter-Bell. Not surprisingly the elite of Australian women’s distance running are turning out – save Jessica Hull having a well-deserved break after her double-medal effort at World Indoors.  Linden Hall was the first Australian to break 4 minutes for the 1500m, and surprisingly Claudia Hollingsworth is just the second to do so in Australia, with her recent 3:58.09 the fastest by any woman on Australia soil. Tactics may prove crucial in this race - could we see these two look to push the pace to take the sting out of Hunter-Bell's kick, as well as the other two Australian fast-finishes in Abbey Caldwell and Sarah Billings.  Likely we'll see the Lakeside stadium record of 4:05.97 broken, and could we see more than three Australians under that time in the same race in Australia for the first time?  Watch also for the battle between juniors Emma Fryga and Milla Roberts who will soak up this experience.

The women’s 200m sees World U20 bronze medallist Jessica Milat take on Monique Hanlon, undefeated over 200m this year.  With Kristie Edwards, Mia Gross and junior Amaya Mearns also looking to challenge for the win, this race may well come down to the line.

The difference between the Peter Norman Memorial 200m [20.26] this year and last year is there's no doubting Lachlan Kennedy can run a fast 200m (he started last year's event with a 20.93 PB).  Another difference is we have two sprinters who have recently PBed under 20.60 seconds, Christopher Ius & Rory Easton, joining Calab Law (20.42 PB).  While all eyes will be glued on Gout Gout to see if he can reverse the result from last year, we may also witness for the first time four Australians sub 20.60 in the same race in Australia, which would surpass three that happened way back in 1998.

Safe to say this is an incredible display of the burgeoning Australian athletics talent, along with some highly-credentialled international athletes visiting our shores.  The fact we are talking about 'greatest' races ever seen in Australia points to the competitiveness of these events, as much as the quality.  The excitement levels will run high in the Lakeside Stadium ... any sports fan would be crazy not to be there!    

* Lakeside track records [in square brackets] sourced from InsideAthletics 

Other Events this weekend
Sound Running's "The TEN" sees Brett Robinson and Ky Robinson race against each other for the first time since the 2023 World Cross Country.  They race in what is usually one of the fastest 10000m of the year, with Ed Marks in the "B" 10000m.  Oliver Hoare has a hit out over 1500m.

A much anticipated second half marathon (Berlin) by former professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan has got people excited given his debut effort was 61:37.

Visiting Hobart's Domain athletics track, one's gaze is drawn up to the heights of Mt Wellington / Kunanyi, often to check the incoming weather.  While the track cannot claim "altitude" status as such, on a calm, clear evening the sense of space can often lead to times and distances that excel.

Given it's been ten years since Hobart hosted a “classic” meet, there are high hopes for Saturday’s meeting, with an influx of highly credentialled national and international athletes, and even the weather forecast looks like it will provide the perfect setting.

Fans would be advised to get to the meet early.  It’s not often you can say you’ve seen the second-best athlete in the world, and Hobart spectators will be the first to see Matthew Denny throw this season.  This is the first of three events in Australia for Denny, before heading to Ramona, aka ‘Throw Town’, that wind-swept part of Oklahoma where Denny almost took the discus World Record last year.

Speaking of second-best – Australia’s second fastest man ever over 100m, Lachlan Kennedy, returns to the track over 200m after a break of nine months.  Kennedy faces off against his training partner Calab Law, and local product (now Brisbane-based) Jacob Despard.

The other marquee events are the 3000m, given their National Championship status, the first open Championship events held in Hobart since 2001. 

In the open race the men’s field sees Callum Davies go in as favourite with his recent strong form, but if Alexander Stitt is there with 200m to go then expect a close finish.  Brett Robinson and Adam Goddard recently showed their track speed over 5000m, and the two steeplechasers Ed Trippas and Ben Buckingham will enjoy the freedom of a flat track.

The women’s race will be gripping given it boasts National record-holders for 3000m, Georgia Griffith, and for 5000m & 10000m Rose Davies.  Along with Japan’s Nozomi Tanaka, they’ll be wanting a fast early pace because if it comes to a sprint-finish this brings into the mix fast-finishing record holders formerly for 800m (and currently U20 1500m) Claudia Hollingsworth and formerly 1000m Abbey Caldwell.

These 3000m events are also significant because they are a key part of the story that selectors will construct to determine the “discretionary” picks for the World U20 Championships in this event, given it will not be held at the Australian U20 Championships in Brisbane in April.

Alexander Cameron-Smith took the win over Lucas Chis at the Zatopek De Castella 3000m, and they battle again, but this time the contest will include Charles Barrett, who recently become Australia’s second youngest sub-4 miler.  Watch for the time as no junior has run under the World U20 qualifier of 8 minutes.

In the junior women’s contest, Imogen Baker’s season has been impressive with qualifiers across three distances.  Wanting to also make their case to the selectors will be Milla Roberts, who has the 3000m qualifier, and Eliza Lawton whose PB is also under the standard.

The theme of “junior race within the senior race” is also a feature of the women’s 800m.  Incredibly ten junior women have the World U20 800m standard and another four (Tobin, Emanuel, Williams, Owen) could join them after Saturday’s race.  Emma Fryga has been the fastest and she’ll be looking to be competitive with Jaylah Hancock-Cameron & Tess Kirsopp-Cole.

Hobart athletics fans were fortunate to see the great Sebastian Coe, in the twilight of his career, race a 1000m on the Domain back in 1990.  Peter Bol’s graceful, smooth style is reminiscent of Coe, and he races over 800m with much the same field as the Perth meet with the addition of exciting junior Tate van Camp.  Bob Abdelrahim has improved his PB each time he’s run this season – can that continue?

Missing from the 800m is the World U20 silver medallist Peyton Craig, because he’s turning his attention to the 1500m, a distance he showed early promise in.  His PB of 3:41.13 looks something of an anachronism, and sub-3:40 men Will Lewis and Connor Whitely will be pushing to get back to those levels.

Another one testing themselves in a different event is Olympic decathlon bronze medallist Ashley Moloney, who’s entered for the 400m hurdles.  A 45 seconds 400m runner and sub-8 second 60m hurdler, Moloney has the elements to produce something exciting.  He’s up against newly minted sub-50 seconds man, Matthew Hunt.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, Alanah Yukich has made the trip from Perth and often runs her best after long travels.  Marli Wilkinson will want to continue her strong start to the season.

There’s a couple of returning winners from that 2016 Hobart meet.  Hamish Peacock’s longevity in the sport is incredible, and while his 80 metres days are behind him, he’ll enjoy competing with Sri Lankan Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage and Frenchman Felise Vaha'i Sosaia as they challenge that mark and his meet record of 80.77m.

Jack Hale’s the other 2016 winner returning, with his new-found form from the grass tracks and various gift wins.  Will be interesting to see how this translates to the track and in a field that includes fast men from Japan, Rai Atago, and Sri Lanka, Merone Wuesinghe.

The women sprinters are making the most of the visit, with many backing up in the 200m after the 100m.  Amaya Mearns, Ella Connolly, Olivia Rose Inkster and Mia Gross are all running the double.  And will have to contend with Bree Rizzo in the 100m, and then in-form Monique Hanlon in the 200m, as well as the return of 2019 National Champion, Maddie Coates.

The women’s hammer event is of high-quality with two National record holders and 70m+ Olympians in Lauren Bruce (NZ) and Stephanie Ratcliffe.   Emma Berg and Alexander Kolesnikoff look to be the leading contenders in their respective shot put events.

Quality continues in the jumps with World U20 long jump champion Delta Amidzovski, facing two-times National champion Sam Dale and World University Games medallist Emelia Surch.  World U20 silver medallist Izobelle Louison-Roe goes up against fellow 1.90m+ high jumper Emily Whelan.  In the men’s triple jump, winner in Perth Awan Akuen, Shemaiah James and Liam Glew will all be looking to push each other well over that 16m mark.

It's a fast-paced high-quality meet in Hobart, finishing with some cracking 3000m racing.  Plenty of high points and highlights for sure.

By any measure, 2025 was an extraordinary year for Australian athletics.  We review some of the key results and records set.

Global Championships

Australians won 12 Global medals, with Australia's best World Indoor Championships ever (7 medals), equal second best World Championships (4 medals) and the first World Relays medal in the new 'qualification' format. 

The World Indoors for Australia had the most number of athletes finishing in the top 8 (9) and the top 16 (15) while the World Championships also saw the most number of athletes (28) finishing in the top 16.

World Indoors

GOLD Nicola Olyslagers High Jump
SILVER Eleanor Patterson High Jump, Lachlan Kennedy 60m
BRONZE Ky Robinson 3000m, Jessica Hull 3000m, 4x400m women (Beer, Connolly, Pasquali, Pollard) 

World Relays

SILVER 4x400m mixed (Van Ratingen, Beer, Thorne, Bull)

World Championships

GOLD  Nicola Olyslagers High Jump
BRONZE  Kurtis Marschall Pole Vault, Jessica Hull 1500m, Mackenzie Little Javelin, 

Adding more Global medals this year takes these athletes into the upper echelons of Australian athletics history:
- Nicola Olyslagers moves to equal #4 Australian on the career Global medals list, with six medals, equal with Cathy Freeman
- Eleanor Patterson equal #6 with five,
- Jessica Hull equal #8 with four.

Rhydian Cowley made his sixth appearance at the World Championships, equalling the record of Steve Moneghetti & Jared Talent.  A number made their fifth appearance: Rohan Browning, Peter Bol, Brandon Starc, Linden Hall, Michelle Jenneke and Nicola Olyslagers.

National Records

Australian athetes broke 32 national senior records, including 4 indoor records and 4 World Junior records.  Look how the year unfolded, Australian records falling every month up to October, and then a couple more in December.

25-Jan 60m Lachlan Kennedy 6.43
29-Jan 60m Torrie Lewis 7.14
2-Feb Half Marathon Isobel Batt-Doyle 1:07:17
8-Feb 3000m Ky Robinson 7:30.38 (i)
8-Feb Mile Cameron Myers 3:47.48* =NR (i)
21-Feb 5000m Jack Rayner 12:59.43 (i)
6-Mar 1000m Georgia Griffith 2:34.50
15-Mar 4x100m Australia men 37.87
16-Mar 35km Walk Rhydian Cowley 2:25:21
16-Mar 35km Walk Olivia Sandery 2:42:40
23-Mar 1500m Georgia Griffith 4:00.80 (i)
6-Apr Discus Matthew Denny 72.07
10-Apr Discus Matthew Denny 74.25
13-Apr Discus Matthew Denny 74.78
26-Apr 5000m Rose Davies 14:40.43
26-Apr 1000m Abbey Caldwell 2:32.94
3-May 10km (road) Isobel Batt-Doyle 30:44
10-May 4x100m Australia mixed 41.15
11-May 4x400m Australia mixed 3:12.20
11-Jun 10000m Rose Davies 30:34.11
24-Jun 200m Gout Gout 20.02
11-Jul 800m Peter Bol 1:42.55
11-Jul 1000m Jessica Hull 2:30.96
19-Jul 5000m Rose Davies 14:31.45
19-Jul Mile Jessica Hull 4:13.68
9-Aug 3000m SC Ed Trippas 8:13.15
16-Aug 800m Claudia Hollingsworth 1:57.67
27-Aug High Jump Nicola Olyslagers 2.04
13-Sep 100m Torrie Lewis 11.08
19-Sep 800m Jessica Hull 1:57.15
7-Dec Marathon Jessica Stenson 2:21:24
11-Dec 10,000m Walk Isaac Beacroft 38:02.68*

*Beacroft's and Myer's times were also World U20 Records. Myers mile time was an overall & indoor WU20R as well as a 1500m indoor WU20R en route.

Worth noting Denny's 74.25 missed the world record by 10cm, and the 74.78 went over, but Mykolas Alekna had already thrown further in the same competition.

Denny's final record was a 6.9% improvement on the record at the start of the year (69.96), the biggest leap.  Olivia Sandery improved the 35km RW record by 2.9%, the Australian mixed 4x400m relay team (Van Ratinge, Beer, Thorne, Bull) by 2.4%, and Jessica Hull the 1000m by 2.3%.

Other points of note:

Ed Trippas breaks one of the oldest track records on the books, taking 3.07 seconds off Shaun Creighton's 32-year-old 3000m steeplechase record.    

Izzi Batt-Doyle's half marathon record broke Kerryn McCann's 25-year-old record.

Another long standing record to go was Craig Mottram's 17-year-old indoor 3000m record, broken by Ky Robinson.

Rose Davies' two new long distance records also broke the long standing (16 years) Oceania records of Kim Smith (NZ).

Jessica Hull continued her record breaking ways (every year since 2020) extending down into the shorter middle distances which means she currently holds all six outdoor national records from 800 to 2000m.

Georgia Griffith broke her second Jessica Hull record, something of a distinction in this era, with the 1500m indoor record (adding to her 3000m NR) and finished a close second to Rose Davies in her 5000m record run, becoming second Australian woman under 14:40 in the 5000m.

Diamond League

It was the busiest year ever seen in terms of Australian athletes competing in the Diamond League. Overall 42 athletes competed (a record), with 26 of them scoring a total of 305 points (another record).

Come the finals, Australia had eleven athletes compete, which equalled the record compared with similar finals format back to 2017.  In the final a record equalling four top 3 finishes and a record eight top 4 finishes which were:

DL CHAMPION  Nicola Olyslagers High Jump
SECOND Jessica Hull 1500m
THIRD Linden Hall 1500m, Liam Adcock Long Jump
FOURTH Kurtis Marschall Pole Vault, Matthew Denny Discus, Mackenzie Little Javelin, Georgia Griffith 3000m

World Athletics Awards

Nicola Olyslagers becomes only the second Australian, after Sally Pearson, to receive a World Athletics Award, winning women's field athlete of the year, given her domination in the high jump. 

Grand Slam Track

The year saw the emergence of a new league in athletics with Grand Slam Track.  Jessica Hull was the only Australia invited as a 'Racer' for the short distance category (800m/1500m), in a format where four racers met four challengers over two different distances each meet. Over the three meets, Hull finished 4th overall in Kingston, 5th in Miami and 2nd in Philadelphia.

Other Australians were invited as Challengers to various meets:
Peter Bol (800m/1500m) Miami 5th overall
Sarah Carli (400m/400mH) Miami 6th overall
Abbey Caldwell (800m/1500m) Philadelphia 4th overall
Ky Robinson (3000m) Philadelphia 3rd 

Sadly it looks as if this may be the only year for Grand Slam Track, but World Athletics took up the innovation challenge and introduced a new event for 2026, the World Ultimate Championships. 

World University Games

Another opportunity for Australia's younger athletes to particpate on the world stage, and another outstanding result for those competing, with a large number achieving personal bests.  In terms of medals a record collection again, most number of total medals (10) and most number of golds (5)

GOLD  Georgia Harris (100m), Elizabeth McMillen (20km RW), Benjamin Guse (Decathlon), Connor Murphy (Triple Jump), Womens 4x100m relay (Harris, Kristie Edwards, Olivia Rose Inkster, Jessica Milat)
SILVER  20km RW team (both mens & womens)
BRONZE  Desleigh Owusu (Triple Jump), Emelia Surch (Heptathlon), Roman Anastasios (High Jump)

Australia had never medalled in the triple jump at these championships, in which Australia first competed in 1937, so it was great to see double success.

What a year!

A fantastic year for Australian athletes, but this is not in isolation, with momentum building since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.  Expectations are raised that this will continue into 2026, and only more so after the 4x2km cross country relay team (Oliver Hoare, Linden Hall, Jack Anstey, Jessica Hull) became the first world champions for the year.

Expect an exciting Summer Series of athletics over the next few months, with meets in Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and Melbourne, as well as the Short Course Nationals in Melbourne, culminating in the National Championships on the newly resurfaced track in Sydney.  Then Darwin hosts the Oceania Championships in May. 

Internationally we've got World Indoor Championships in March, World Relays in May and the Diamond League action starts building from the Chinese meets in May.  A major focus for athletes will be trying to gain selection for the Commonwealth Games in July, but some will also be trying to qualify for the Diamond League finals in early September.  For those highly world-ranked athletes, the World Ultimate Championships take place a week later.  In late September a change of surface takes us to the World Road Championships.

That's a huge year gone and another huge year to come .. and at TrackAthletes we'll be doing our best to keep up you up-to-date. 

Details for all these coming meets are on our website and you can add meets, as well as athletes, to your watchlist.  Our Stats page lists the National Records and will shortly start listing the National Leads for 2026. 

Tune in! 

July is a big month for Australian athletes chasing time and points for Tokyo World Championships (WCH) qualification.

Part 2 - a preview of tomorrow's early morning meets with a focus on athletes in the mix for WCH qualification

Weekend Update #2 (part 2)

  Moore Guldensporenmeeting

A Cat C meet means there is some good place points for those who can finish top 8.  Currently sitting in a qualifying quota place, but wanting to "protect" their spot: Torrie Lewis goes in both 100m & 200m, and Ellie Beer in 400m. 
Sitting outside qualifying spots: Michelle Jenneke - has a couple of low scores so low 13 sec or sub-13 sec peformances could see her close to qualifying. Mitchell Lightfoot - needs a couple of races near his PB (13.53) to push back into contention.
Other points of interest:  Carla Bull, Laura McShane and Bec Bennett are the 8-10th fastest Australian 400m runners in 2025 with SBs only 0.25 apart. Could this event by something of a trail with Australian 400m relay spots up for grabs?  Seth O'Donnell launching his European campaign with a 1500m - has a 5000m race lined up in a weeks time where he'll be hoping to push up into a qualify spot (currently 52/42). Alex Stitt also running the 1500m - haven't seen his 3:35 USA form since he's been in Europe and a big jump to the sub-3:33 standard but with the right race?

  BMC Watford  

Not the main circuit (Cat D) but this is a crucial race for Catriona Bisset who hasn't yet managed to convert her training form into a fast race (according to her insightful blog). The Australian womens 800m is so competitive and with two already selected, its likely going to come down to who can get the standard (sub 1:59).  Given Bisset has run this a dozen times, if things click there's a strong possibility.   
Rebekah Newton has enjoyed remarkable improvements this year (nearly four seconds off her 800m PB) - is sub two minutes out of the question?  Also improving is fellow Western Australian Max Shervington who is tuning up for World University Games with PB form - can he duck under 3:38 in this 1500m?

Weekend Update #2 (part 1)

  Monaco Diamond League

It was extraordinary that a year ago we could write about an Australian track athlete attempting to break a world record ... and even more extraordinary Jessica Hull achieved the milestone with such composure, taking 1.86 seconds off the 2000m WR (5:19.70).  A year later, and a week after finishing third in a world record 1500 race, Hull goes again - this time over 1000m.

Historically the 1000m WR has been the territory of those focusing on the 800m, or at least the true 800/1500 middle distance runner.  So for Hull, who's been more a 15/3k/5k athlete, you'd think 2:28.98 is a bit quick.  But Grand Slam Track bought back the middle distance double and athletes like Hull seriously tested their speed, taking her PB to 1:58.58.

Given Hull's comfortable going through 800m in 2:03 for a 1500m (which was her 800m PB until last year) you could see a two minute flat first 800m is not out of the question.  Then who holds on best - the 800m specialist or the 2000m World Record holder and fifth fastest 1500m runner ever?

Another Australian in the race will be backing her speed - Sarah Billings won a National 400m title (U18) before an 800m title (U20), but has now developed the 1500m strength to the point where she finished a close second to Hull in the National Championships. Billings has been in career best form this year - PB'ing in the 8,15 and 1k in the last 3 months - watch for her come that last 100m.

It goes without saying the Australian 1000m record is under threat (2:32.94), but with two other Australian record holders competing its not out of the question that we could see three National records set at Monaco. 

For a couple of years, Peter Bol had a 'record' of having run the most times under 1:46, without breaking 1:44. That all changed in April this year, where he sent an Australian record (1:43.79), and which he's approach twice more, almost casually.  There'll be no finger waving in Monaco, as the fastest 800m field ever assembled will test his true outer limits.

With such an international sport, there would be much debate about athletics' true "world stage", but a good case could be made for Monaco, home of World Athletics and everything that glitters.  Onto this stage steps Gout Gout a young man who's had the world media descend upon him but who takes it all in his stride ... and what a stride!  The U23 200m field is no pushover, with others almost as close as Gout to breaking the 20 second barrier.  What a night if he can do it.  

Another pushing barriers is Kurtis Marschall who thinks for some reason falling from six metres after launching himself skywards with nothing but a fibreglass pole is something to strive for.  But its something we'll all be cheering for if he gets to attempt it again (while quietly thankful its not us having to twist and flip and let gravity take its course).     

  Morton Games

While thats all happening you can also watch the fun in Dublin.  There's young Australians tuning up before the FISU World University Games: Joseph Ayoade in the 100m, Terrell Thorne in the 400m and Klara Dess over 1500m. Danielle Shaw (100m Hurdles) and Emily Whelan (High Jump) will still be looking at the "Road to Paris" list and seeing how they can boost their qualifying points.  The Morton Mile can be something of an Australia vs Ireland clash. with Ireland has won 2 out of the last 3 races, with Australia's last winner being Jeff Riseley back in 2015.  Stewart McSweyn, Matthew Ramsden and Jackson Sharp, fresh off his 3000m PB, are carrying the flag this year - can one of them take the win?  

Weekend Update #1 (4th July)

Plenty happening across six countries in two large viewing blocks, interspersed with some evening viewing … how good!

Some high intensity action from Stanislas Nancy in France to wake you Saturday morning with Chris Mitrevski and Rohan Browning.  Mitrevski showed he’s recovered from injuries with two jumps just under eight metres in Japan in May. He needs two more competitions to appear on the “Road to Tokyo” list, and with a couple more jumps around eight metres he could be within a qualifying quota place. Browning has showed he’s not lost the form from Nationals and you don’t want to be the person who misses that sub-10 when it comes.

Georgia Griffith, Jude Thomas and Jack Anstey are running the 1500m at the same meet and around this time you might want to also open another window for the Gold Coast half marathon with some of Australia’s best distance runners competing.

Tomorrow evening catch the beginning of the women’s heptathlon from Décastar, France with Tori West & Camryn Newton-Smith needing near-best performances to ensure they gain the qualifying quota places for Tokyo.

Early morning hours of Sunday, the very keen can see Alexandra Harrison in the high jump, Rebecca Bennett in a 400m from Belgium and Georgia Harris in her 100m heat from Spain.  Or a bit later Sam Dale jumps at that Ordizia Meet in Spain.  Both she and Delta Amidzovski, who jumped 6.41m earlier this week, are just outside qualify spots and both need a couple of competitions where they push over 6.50m.

At the same time, action kicks off in Lyon France, with Tess Kirsopp-Cole, Peter Bol & Mason Cohen racing over 800m, and Allegra McGivern in the steeplechase.  800m seems to be a theme at this time, with Ellie Sanford, Rebekah Newton & Jack Lunn going over this distance in Ordizia.  The magical two-minute barrier is something all three women have gone close to and going sub-2 could well help their claims for the 3rd spot on the Tokyo team.

Then we switch to 1500m viewing: Klara Dess & Luke Cunningham in Lyon, Alex Stitt in Ordizia along with Adam Spencer running the International Mile in Eugene, which unfortunately will be just before the Diamond League broadcast starts.

Once it does start (Sunday 6am) this Diamond League has something special in store for Australian fans.  Lachlan Kennedy has another big moment racing the 100m against the fastest men in the world this year.  Then stay tuned as Australians will be involved in two world record attempts.  Last year Jessica Hull ran the fifth fastest 1500m time in history chasing Faith Kipyegon when she last broke the world record.  Kipyegon goes again Sunday morning in a stacked field with eight of the world’s top ten in the field, and Hull again a lead contender.

The men’s Bowerman Mile is similarly stacked – probably the fastest field ever assembled.  Yared Nuguse has asked the pacers to go through 800m in 1:50 with the aim of breaking Hicham El Geurrouj’s 3:43.13 set 25 years & 363 days ago.  It’s a massive showdown for Oliver Hoare & Cameron Myers who share the current Australian mile record at 3:47.48 – whoever finishes ahead will likely be the new record holder.

No doubt plenty of inspiration from all that to head off for your Sunday long run.  Then in the evening tune back in for the heptathlon at 6.25pm to see how Tori and Camryn complete the last three events.  And Monday morning check in on Kurtis Marschall – he’s vaulting in Fly Athens a dedicated pole vaulting meet hosted by world #2, Emmanuel Karalis.

Free livestreams for all these meets.

Enjoy!

The July overview (full calendar for July here)

We start with an overview of what’s coming up and who’s competing where, as far as we know. Then, as start lists firm up for each upcoming weekend we’ll add more detail including a brief overview of key results and what’s happening in the quest for qualification.

The link will stay the same, but the content will be changing … let us know what you think of this format!

Championship action doesn’t wait until September with over 60 athletes representing Australia in Germany – our largest team ever at the FISU World University Games.  A great opportunity for younger athletes to get international competition exposure, and we'll see a number of them drawing on that experience in Tokyo later in the year.

With three Diamond Leagues this month - Eugene/Prefontaine Classic in the USA, Monaco and London - some of Australia’s best athletes will be testing their form against the world’s best.

Lachlan Kennedy has one of the biggest races of his life, lining up for the 100m at Eugene against the fastest men in the world this year, including the #6 all-time Kishane Thompson. Oliver Hoare and Cameron Myers go in the prestigious Bowerman Mile against the current Olympic Champion and two World Champions over 1500m.  Adam Spencer races the Invitational Mile, and likely has his eye on the 3:50 WCH qualifier, given he’s now 4th Australian on the qualifying list.

Jessica Hull will race in Eugene in the strongest women’s 1500m field this year, with 8 of the top 10 world ranked athletes competing including Faith Kipyegon.  As will as planning to run the mile at London, Hull will also race a 1000m at Monaco along with Sarah Billings. Gout Gout is aiming for an U23 200m event at Monaco, and Kurtis Marschall will be vaulting there, as well as a pole vault event in Greece this weekend.  With Peter Bol racing the 800m at Monaco against seven of the 2024 Olympic finalists, that makes three current Australian record holders at the meet - could we see a hattrick of Australian records? 

There's quite a few meets in France this month in the lead up to Monaco Diamond League. The Décastar - a multievent meet - is crucial for Tori West's WCH qualification. West requires a PB to boost her points and move back into a qualifying quota place. Camryn Newton-Smith, recovered from her injury that kept her out of Nationals, will join West and although a couple of quota places higher, will also be looking for a big performance.

We're waiting on start lists for other French meets but can see there's Aussies expected to compete in Lyon including Luke Cunningham & Klara Dess (1500m), Allegra McGivern (3000m SC). Peter Bol and Tess Kirsopp-Cole go over the 800m.

Kirsopp-Cole is in a 4-way battle for the last 800 WCH spot and is down to race four times in July.  Also in the mix is Ellie Sanford who looks to be focusing on a couple of 800m races in Spain (Ordizia and Barcelona).

Chasing good quota points to remain in a qualifying place is Emily Whelan who has a couple of Irish high jump events lined up, Cork City Sports & Morton Games - and likely to be joined by other Aussies particularly those based in Britain.

Aussie sprinters are using Belgium meets to sharpen their form:  Moore-Guldensporenmeeting where Ellie Beer and others will be joined by middle distance runners and Mitchell Lightfoot over the hurdles, Laura McShane & Carla Bull back-up in Liège, joined by Izzi Batt-Doyle testing her speed over 5000m, and then the Night of Athletics sees McShane & Kirsopp-Cole again along with Seth O'Donnell and Jason Clayton over 5000m.

O'Donnell, who had the crowd roaring during his dramatic 5000m win at Nationals, is another chasing points and he's down to start his European campain at Boysen Memorial in Norway.  Meanwhile Stephanie Ratcliffe is travelling north to Canada to grab some points with appearances in Edmonton and a few days later at the Harry Jerome Classic 

While we're likely to see them in a Diamond League event in July, Rose Davies and Sarah Billings, training & podcast partners, are going head-to-head over 1500m in Bresia, Italy with bragging rights on the line.

An action-packed July already based on what we know - check in for further updates as more news emerges.

Enjoy!