Records and rising stars shine across 2025 Australian Athletics season
Adelaide Invitational, Sydney Track Classic, and Maurie Plant Meet deliver thrilling performances and remarkable milestones
As the athletics season hit full stride in Australia, the Adelaide Invitational, Sydney Track Classic, and Maurie Plant Meet showcased thrilling performances, emerging talents, and record-breaking moments. As the official partner of Australian Athletics, all three events were run on Rekortan tracks and are part of the 2025 World Athletics Continental Tour series.
Adelaide Invitational sets the tone
Adelaide Invitational proved to be an ideal launchpad for the 2025 athletics season. Top track and field athletes, including Paris 2024 Olympians, competed at the meet on 15 February in the capital city of South Australia. Athletes raced for crucial ranking points and a coveted spot on the Australian national team for the World Athletics Championships, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan in September.
Adelaide Invitational - Women’s 800m
Women’s 800m showcases strength
One of the most electrifying races featured impressive performances by five talented competitors in the 800m. Headlined by Olympic semi-finalist Abbey Caldwell and the effortlessly smooth Bendere Oboya, the race also showcased strong contenders Sarah Billings, Georgia Griffith, and Carley Thomas, each demonstrating a unique mix of racing styles. Caldwell emerged victorious with a winning time of 2:01.84, solidifying her dominance in the event.
Thrilling showdown in men’s 800m
The three-time Olympian and former Australian national record holder in the men’s 800m, Peter Bol, was a key attraction at the Adelaide Invitation. Bol seemed to be in complete control of the race until challenged by 17-year-old Daniel Williams, who took the lead with 200m left to run. Bol’s trusted pacing allowed him to prevail in 1:46:40, with Williams finishing second, earning him a PB of 1:46.70.
Adelaide Invitational - Men’s 800m
“When asked what Bol looks for on a competition track, “probably that bounce, that bounce in the track, feeling fast and we got that out here”, he remarked.”
Adelaide Invitational - Peter Bol (AUS)
Bol loves that Rekortan Gel PING!
When asked what Bol looks for on a competition track, “probably that bounce, that bounce in the track, feeling fast and we got that out here”, he remarked. His impressive results were achieved on a Rekortan Gel track, which provides 58% energy back to the athlete giving them more PING! without being so firm that it increases the risk of injury. The gel layer is made from 84% renewable and recycled materials and features trillions of liquid gel balls that create tracks that are fast, consistent, natural and great for athlete welfare.
New benchmarks set in sprinting, middle-distance, and hurdles at the Sydney Track Classic
Under the floodlights of the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre on 15 March, athletes delivered unforgettable performances at the Sydney Track Classic in New South Wales. A striking number of 38 PBs were registered during the event, along with 2 Australian records and 4 meet records.
New national record in relay
The Aussie men’s 4x100m relay team made up of Lachlan Kennedy, Calab Law, Chris Ius, and Joshua Azzopardi, delivered a sensational performance, clocking 37.87 seconds to shatter the national record.
Sydney Track Classic - Calab Law. Photo credit: Brodie Cross/Australian Athletics.
Sydney Track Classic - Sarah Carli. Photo credit: Brodie Cross/Australian Athletics.
Sarah Carli steps up
Sarah Carli delivered a standout performance in the women’s 400m hurdles against her Olympic teammate Alanah Yukich, clocking 54.86 seconds, a career best on home soil.
Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne
A packed crowd at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne hosted the Maurie Plant Meet on 29 March, which was the first World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting of the year. A record-breaking crowd filled the stands for the sold-out meet, headlined by sprint sensations Letsile Tebogo (BOT) and Gout Gout (AUS).
In the 200m final, Lachlan Kennedy (AUS) delivered a breakout performance, clocking a PB of 20.26 seconds to edge out Gout Gout by just 0.04 seconds. Gout, only 17 years old, surged late but couldn't close the gap in time.
Bayapo Ndori (BOT) edged out fellow Botswanan and Olympic champion Tebogo in the 400m.
Maurie Plant Meet - Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
“I think this track is super great, it reacts to all our spikes really well and I love the blue as well”
Teen sensation Hollingsworth seals 1500m Win
Claudia Hollingsworth (AUS) surged ahead in the final stretch of the women’s 1500m to outpace Sarah Billings, Linden Hall, and Abbey Caldwell. The 19-year-old claimed victory with her fastest time of the season in 4:05.97. Hollingsworth commented on the Rekortan track at Lakeside Stadium, “I think this track is super great, it reacts to all our spikes really well and I love the blue as well”.
Rekortan is the most certified World Athletics track
As the most certified World Athletics track, Rekortan provides a foundation for incredible performances, delivering surfaces designed with speed, precision, and athlete well-being in mind.
Congratulations to all the talented athletes for their remarkable achievements.
Rekortan is part of the world’s biggest installation network. Rekortan is available in North America and globally through our network of expert installation partners, and via Polytan in EMEA and Asia Pacific.