Linden Hall will attempt to reclaim the Australian 1500m record and become the first Australian woman to break four minutes for the metric mile on Thursday, while an elite men’s 800m has also been added to the program.
Hall is in superb form this season, including an Australian 1000m record (2:35.90) at the Box Hill Track, Olympic qualifier over 1500m in Canberra (4:02.02) and moving to fourth on the Australian all-time list over 800m in Brisbane (1:59.22) last weekend.
The 29-year-old Victorian formerly held the Australian record at 4:00.86 from 2018, her personal best, before it was bettered last season by Jessica Hull with a run of 4:00.42.
Hall is the cream to an already impressive field in the women’s 1500m at the Box Hill Classic, while Stewart McSweyn and Matthew Ramsden headline the men’s race. $1500 in prize money will be on offer for each event, courtesy of Athletics International and the family of the late Graham Crouch.
RELATED:
Adding further to the meet is the addition of an elite men’s 800m, with the in-form Peter Bol looking to better the Olympic qualifier of 1:45.20. He has been just outside the mark of a second on a few occasions this year, including a 1:45.48 run last weekend. Also in the field is Kiwi Brad Mathas.
Box Hill Athletics Club President, Jeremy Griffith, is looking forward to the athletics community gathering at one of Melbourne’s favourite venues, Hagenauer Reserve, to celebrate great performances and the start of the Easter long weekend.
“As a club we feel we have a very important role to make athletics fun and enjoyable for everyone. That’s not just for athletes, but also for spectators at events at our track,” Griffith said.
“Athletes have told us how much they enjoy running at Box Hill. We want to make sure there’s always a great atmosphere for them to perform at their best and for people to have a fun and social time cheering them on.”
Conditions look like they will be perfect for athletes and spectators alike, with a top of 29 degrees during the day.
The Box Hill Classic is being held this Thursday, 1 April at Hagenauer Reserve, Box Hill, commencing at 6pm. The elite events are scheduled within a convenient 90 minute period from 7pm to 8:30pm.
The full meet program and start lists are available here.
The meet will also be live streamed by Athletics Exclusive for those unable to make it to the venue.
Latest posts:
- Fred Kerley: From sprinting greatness to sporting farce
Fred Kerley should have been remembered as one of track and field’s great all-rounders: a man who defied the specialist mould, winning Olympic medals over 100m, 400m, and World Championship gold in the glamour sprint. Instead, he has chosen the most reckless exit imaginable: signing up for the circus of… Read more: Fred Kerley: From sprinting greatness to sporting farce - Jessica Hull Makes History with 1500m Bronze in Tokyo
Australia has a new middle-distance history maker, with Jessica Hull storming to the nation’s first ever medal in the 1500m at a World Athletics Championships, clinching bronze in a dramatic final in Tokyo. A Race for the Ages Hull threw herself into contention from the gun, refusing to let four-time… Read more: Jessica Hull Makes History with 1500m Bronze in Tokyo - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Edges Towards History in the 400m
One of track and field’s most untouchable world records may finally be under threat: the women’s 400 metres. On Day 4 at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone — already the world record holder in the 400m hurdles — produced a breathtaking semi-final performance. Stopping the clock… Read more: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Edges Towards History in the 400m - Marschall Wins Bronze in Historic Pole Vault Final
Western Australia’s Kurtis Marschall has secured Australia’s first medal of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, soaring to bronze in the Men’s Pole Vault and writing another chapter in the nation’s proud history in the event. Marschall, coached by Paul Burgess, equalled his personal best of 5.95m to claim… Read more: Marschall Wins Bronze in Historic Pole Vault Final - Tokyo 2025 Preview: Schedule, Broadcasts & Storylines
The 20th edition of the World Athletics Championships hits Tokyo from 13–21 September 2025, bringing together over 2,000 of the world’s top athletes from 200+ nations at the Japan National Stadium. From sprints to marathon, field events to relays — it’s nine days of global drama, records, and unforgettable moments. This… Read more: Tokyo 2025 Preview: Schedule, Broadcasts & Storylines
