Stewart McSweyn has ended 2020 in style, setting a world lead in the mile in the town of Penguin, on the north-west coast of Tasmania.
The 25-year-old Australian 1500m and 3000m record holder stopped the clock at 3:50.62 to take four seconds off his personal best. The run bettered Simon Doyle’s 3:51.54 run from 1991 as the fastest on Australian soil, and training partner Matthew Ramsden’s 3:51.23 as the fastest in the world this year.
The town of Penguin has a population of just under 4,000 people but boasts a synthetic track. McSweyn’s performance came at the Penguin Carnival, part of Tasmania’s Christmas pro running series.
Stewart McSweyn – 3:50.61
A world lead in Penguin and the fastest mile on Australian soil.
Excellent pacing to 800m from Adam Spencer (~1:52). pic.twitter.com/QKI28NhA9A— Sean Whipp (@seanwhipp) December 29, 2020
With Ryan Gregson (3:52.38) and Oliver Hoare (3:53.35) having the fourth and fifth fastest times in the world respectively, Australia has the rare distinction of having four of the five fastest milers in the world during the year, albeit one where international athletics was severely truncated due to COVID-19.
Just prior to Christmas athletes at the second Victorian Milers Club meet of the season hit their stride, with Linden Hall (8:51.20) and Ben Buckingham (7:57.81) the top performances over 3000m, while Jarryd Clifford set a new T12 1500m world record with his 3:44.58 win.
Penguin Carnival
Penguin Athletics Track
29 December 2020
Full results
WOMEN
100 yards (1.4) Hana Basic 10.62, Hilal Durmaz 10.79
MEN
100 yards (1.4) Jacob Despard 10.66
Mile Stewart McSweyn 3:50.61 (Australian allcomers record, World leading time)
Victorian Milers Club #2
Hagenauer Reserve, Box Hill
22 December 2020
Full results
WOMEN
1500m Abbey Caldwell 4:13.09
3000m Linden Hall 8:51.20, Lauren Ryan 8:54.54
MEN
1500m Jarryd Clifford 3:44.58 (T12 World Record)
3000m Ben Buckingham 7:57.81
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