Myers Runs 3:29.85 as Kennedy Breaks 10-Second Barrier in Dramatic Day 2 at Australian Championships
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy and teenage star Cameron Myers delivered historic performances on a dramatic second day (Friday, April 1) at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney, while the women’s 1500m final produced a stunning and chaotic finish.
Kennedy became the first Australian man to break 10 seconds on home soil, blazing to 9.96 (+0.2) in the 100m heats. The 22-year-old’s run shaved 0.02 seconds off his personal best and positioned him as the fastest qualifier heading into the semi-finals, with Rohan Browning and Joshua Azzopardi among the key contenders.
Moments later, Myers produced one of the standout runs of the championships, storming to victory in the men’s 1500m in 3:29.85 to become the first athlete to break the 3:30 barrier on Australian soil. The 19-year-old surged away on the final lap to defeat Oliver Hoare, with Adam Spencer finishing third.
Men’s 1500m – Final
- Cameron Myers – 3:29.85 (CR, SB)
- Oliver Hoare – 3:32.66 (SB)
- Adam Spencer – 3:34.23 (SB)
- Callum Davies – 3:35.18 (SB)
- Jack Anstey – 3:35.26 (SB)
- Jye Edwards – 3:37.09 (SB)
- Alexander Stitt – 3:37.22
- Jude Thomas – 3:37.65 (SB)
- William Lewis – 3:39.35 (PB)
- Max Shervington – 3:39.56
- Luke Shaw – 3:39.74 (PB)
- Jonathan Harris – 3:40.48
- Charles Barrett – 3:42.77
- Thomas Moorcroft – 3:44.49
- Connor Whiteley – 3:52.62
The highly anticipated women’s 1500m final delivered late drama, as early leader Jessica Hull fell in the closing stages of the race. Claudia Hollingsworth initially crossed the line first but was later disqualified, leaving Sarah Billings to claim the national title in 4:17.36. Abbey Caldwell and Georgia Griffith completed the podium.
Women’s 1500m – Final
- Sarah Billings – 4:17.36
- Abbey Caldwell – 4:17.40
- Georgia Griffith – 4:18.18 (SB)
- Jaylah Hancock-Cameron – 4:18.39
- Zoe Melhuish – 4:22.02
- Klara Dess – 4:22.66
- Lauren Ryan – 4:23.15
- Izzy Thornton-Bott – 4:25.09
- Stephanie Kelly – 4:25.83
- Maddison Caulfield – 4:26.87
- Jessica Hull – 4:32.96
Claudia Hollingsworth – DQ
In the combined events, Mia Scerri produced a breakthrough performance to win the heptathlon with 6175 points, recording five personal bests across the seven disciplines.
Rising long jump talent Delta Amidzovski also impressed, soaring to 6.84m (+0.3) in qualifying to secure a Commonwealth Games standard and move into the Australian all-time top five.
