National record holder Stewart McSweyn headlines the deepest 1500m fields of the season at a happy stomping ground at Hagenauer Reserve, Box Hill this Thursday evening.
McSweyn broke the national record over 10000m at the venue at the 2019 Zatopek:10 meet (27:23.20) and last month ran his second fastest 5000m there too. His 13:05.87 was at attempt at Craig Mottram’s 12:55.76 mark dating back to 2004.
So what is on the cards for the Box Hill Classic?
The race will be an attempt on the Olympic qualifying standard of 3:35.00, with McSweyn expected to go well under that time based on recent form. McSweyn is joined in the field by fellow qualifier Matthew Ramsden, with the pair already having qualifying marks of 3:31.81 and 3:34.97 to their name during the qualifying period (McSweyn’s national record of 3:30.51 was set in the 6 month COVID-19 break in the World Athletics qualifying period during 2020).
Reaching the qualifying mark, rather than the World Athletics Rankings qualifying route, will virtually be a pre-requisite for selection as one of Australia’s three representatives for Tokyo, with Ollie Hoare also having the mark courtesy of his 3:32.35 indoor run last month. Placings at the upcoming Australian Championships (16-18 April) will also be critical, with the Box Hill Classic the last major hit out. 
Former national record holder Ryan Gregson is also in the field and will be chasing redemption after an uncharacteristic fifth place finish at the Melbourne Track Classic. Melbourne Track Club training partner, Jordan Williamsz, also lines up. 
The victor in Melbourne, and with a 3:37.30 personal best to his name from the Canberra Track Classic, Jye Edwards, will look to lower his personal best in the sheltered suburban racing conditions that the Box Hill Track has grown a strong reputation for.
Box Hill Athletics Club Vice President, Steve Dinneen, is one of the driving forces behind the meet and is excited the by the quality of athlete competing.
“It speaks to the quality of the fields that we have three guys who have run 3:41 this season who weren’t able to make the A race,” Dineen said.
“The B race is being paced for 3:40… I can’t recall when we’ve had that kind of quality in Australia before.”
Box Hill Classic – Men’s 1500m A race
| Athlete | PB (Year) | SB (since 1 Oct 20) |
| Stewart McSweyn | 3:30.51 (2020) | 3:50.61 (Mile) |
| Ryan Gregson | 3:31.06 (2010) | 3:39.85 |
| Matthew Ramsden | 3:34.97 (2021) | 3:34.97 |
| Hamish Carson (NZL) | 3:36.25 (2016) | 3:41.98 |
| Jordan Williamsz | 3:36.30 (2018) | 3:39.59 |
| Jye Edwards | 3:37.30 (2021) | 3:37.30 |
| Rorey Hunter | 3:37.63 (2019) | 3:43.09 |
| Adam Spencer | 3:39.94 (2021) | 3:39.94 |
| Callum Davies | 3:40.05 (2021) | 3:40.05 |
| Elliott McGaughran | 3:41.89 (2021) | 3:41.89 |
| Jude Thomas | 3:42.95 (2021) | 3:42.95 |
| Will Austin-Cray | 3:45.31 (2020) | 3:49.20 |
| Ben Buckingham | 3:45.40 (2020) | N/A |
| Alec Gruen | Pace |
The B race features T12 world record holder Jaryd Clifford, along with Adam Pyke, Lachlan Herd and Andre Waring.
The women’s field is yet to be fully finalised, but will be paced by Ellie Stanford on a 65-second-a-lap schedule to target the 4:04.20 Olympic qualifier.
The mark would be a solid improvement on the season’s best of most of the field, which at the very least will make for an interesting contest, let alone the opportunity for a breakthrough. Update 30 March: Linden Hall added to the field and attempting sub-4 minute Australian record run. 
Genevieve Gregson was the winner at the Melbourne Track Classic before backing up two days later for a 3000m Steeplechase win in Brisbane. With a 4:09.40 PB and consistently strong racing form, the two time Olympian is a formidable opponent.
On the other end of the experience spectrum is 15-year-old Claudia Hollingsworth, who is set to significantly revise her 4:35 personal best. The Craig Mottram coached athlete ran a sensational 2:01.60 for third at the Queensland Track Classic, and returns to the track where set set a World Youth Best of 2:36.70 for 1000m last month. 
Melissa Duncan was third in Melbourne in her fastest time since the 2016 World Indoor Championships (4:12.42), just behind Lauren Ryan (4:12.18), who ran a personal best. Abbey Caldwell has had a breakthrough season with a 4:10.25 personal best.
There’s some international flavour to the field with Canada’s Andrea Seccafien and New Zealand’s Camille Buscomb, both better known as 5000m /10000m runners, but with 4:10.70 and 4:13.47 credentials to their names. Rose Davies and Lauren Reid will make the trip from NSW for the race a be looking to crack their PBs of 4:13.49 and 4:12.83 respectively. Madeleine Murray brings good racing form from a recent win at the Victorian Milers Club into the race.
The meet also features 3000m races with David McNeil, Liam Adams and Joel Tobin-White in the men’s field, and Georgia Hansen and Charlotte Wilson in the women’s.
The Box Hill Classic is being held this coming Thursday, 1 April at Hagenauer Reserve, Box Hill, commencing at 6pm. Food trucks and a bar will be at the venue, while the meet will be live streamed by Athletics Exclusive for those not able to make it to the track.
Recent posts:
- Goddard and Pompeani Reign Supreme in Burnie as Australians Shine Abroad
The eyes of the athletics nation turned to the north-west coast of Tasmania for the Australian 10km Road Running Championships on Sunday morning, where Adam Goddard and Leanne Pompeani delivered commanding displays to claim national titles at the Burnie 10. Goddard’s Golden Stretch In cool, blustery conditions, Adam Goddard quickly… Read more: Goddard and Pompeani Reign Supreme in Burnie as Australians Shine Abroad - Gout, Kennedy clock GPS records
Queensland sprint sensation Gout Gout produced another dazzling performance at his final GPS (Great Public Schools) Championships — the state’s inter-school athletics meet featuring Queensland’s most elite private schools — clocking 46.14 seconds to win the 400 metres and defeat reigning Australian U20 champion Seth Kennedy. Kennedy, 17, representing Brisbane… Read more: Gout, Kennedy clock GPS records - Inside Athletics Photo Competition 2025
The Inside Athletics Photo Competition is back for its 5th annual year, celebrating the incredible work of Australia’s passionate athletics photography community. With $500 in prizes up for grabs, this year’s competition showcases the best imagery from the track and field — capturing the emotion, power, and spirit of Australian… Read more: Inside Athletics Photo Competition 2025 - Adams wins Melbourne Marathon on debut
South Australia’s Caitlin Adams has won the 2025 Melbourne Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 30 minutes and 26 seconds in her debut run over the 42.195km distance. Paced by Jess Trengove through the early stages of the race 28-year-old Adams ran an even-paced race with halves of 75:07… Read more: Adams wins Melbourne Marathon on debut - Australia’s Para Stars Shine in New Delhi
Thirteen medals. Ten Australian records. Twenty-four debutants. Australia’s Para Athletics team lit up the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, a glimpse of a golden future as the LA 2028 cycle roars to life. Photos by Augusto Bizzi, Luca Pagliaricci and Eva Pavia, courtesy of Australian Athletics Across… Read more: Australia’s Para Stars Shine in New Delhi
