Rising Athletics Stars Shine at Adelaide Invitational and Maurie Plant Meet

Young guns put through their paces Down Under

Two exciting athletics meets took place in February in southern Australia, highlighting the rising young talents making their marks on the local scene with impressive performances on Rekortan tracks.

The Adelaide Invitational is a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event. The Maurie Plant Meet is a Gold Continental Tour event and was the first leg of the 2024 World Athletics Continental Gold Tour – the second-highest level international track and field circuit behind the 2024 Diamond League. With 14 major Australia and New Zealand track competitions on Rekortan this summer, it has been a great showcase for up-and-coming athletes.

The Adelaide Invitational, SA Athletics Stadium

On 10 February, the Adelaide Invitational took place at the SA Athletics Stadium. The stadium underwent a major redevelopment in recent years, and at its heart is the world’s greenest track, a Rekortan Gel G13 track.

Myers shatters historic meet record in Men’s 1500m

Impressive performances at the Adelaide Invitational included prodigy Cameron MYERS (AUS) shattering a 36-year meet record in the Men’s 1500m, charging to victory in 3:34.55 to break the 1988 record of 3:36.81. Taking on a field that included Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Jye Edwards, and reigning national 1500m champion, Callum Davies, the 17-year-old from Canberra powered into the lead with about 450 metres remaining.

Australia’s fastest women storms the 200m

Australia’s fastest woman, 19-year-old sprinter Torrie LEWIS, won the 200m at the Adelaide Invitational by nearly half a second with a powerful performance, striding away after the turn to win in 23.05 seconds, ahead of Georgia Hulls (23.49) and Ella Connolly (23.50). Lewis, who set a new national 100m record in January 2024 with a time of 11.10, has yet to run under 23 seconds in the 200m, but it is only a matter of time.

“Australia’s fastest woman, 19-year-old sprinter Torrie LEWIS, won the 200m at the Adelaide Invitational by nearly half a second.”

Maurie Plant Meet, Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne

Held on a Rekortan M99 track at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium on 15 February, the 2024 Maurie Plant Meet continued to deliver top-class action.

Myers returns with a PB

Within days of his Adelaide Invitational success, Myers backed up that effort with a personal best time and the bronze medal in the John Landy Mile at the Maurie Plant Meet, finishing in a time of 3:52.44.

Hollingsworth takes double gold

Eighteen-year-old rising star Claudia HOLLINGSWORTH (AUS), who won gold over 1500m at Adelaide with a time of 4:04.45, then went on to claim gold in the Women’s 800m at the Maurie Plant Meet in 1:59.81.

Hobbs beats Lewis to take the Women’s 100m

Torrie Lewis competed in the women’s 100m race at the Lakeside Stadium, winning silver after New Zealand’s Zoe HOBBS, who stole the show in 11.34.

Rekortan – the most certified World Athletics Track

The SA Athletics Stadium’s gel track is World Athletics Class 1 certified, and Rekortan, with 25% of all World Athletics-certified tracks, is the world’s most certified track. The green technology Gel layer, made from 84% renewable and recycled materials, powers tracks that are fast, consistent, natural and great for athlete welfare. Balancing the force reduction needed for training and the speed required for competition, Rekortan Gel, which is also wildly popular in the US, provides 58% energy back to the athlete without being so firm that it increases the risk of injury.

Find out more here.