A famous Australian coach used to berate his athletes when he saw them do it. Indeed, most coaches’ nerves start to jangle at the sight.
But 19-year-old middle-distance gun Cameron Myers is breaking all the old myths and golden rules. Yes, front-running, often thought of as a cardinal sin in events such as the 1500m, is very hard to do. But when you are a generational talent like Myers, it matters little.
Watch the Australian Athletics Championships live and free on 7plus from 4pm AEST
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
On Friday night at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney, Myers made an eye-popping statement in a star-studded field.
In many ways it was a crushing blow for world-class runners such as Olli Hoare (the Commonwealth Games gold medallist and national record holder) and Adam Spencer (Australian Olympian).
They may have thought their younger rival was giving them a chance as he led them around the freshly laid Sydney track … and for good reason.
In most races those early leaders tire … all you have to do is stay close, make your move late, hunt them down.
But in scenes reminiscent of famous American front-runner Steve Prefontaine (from the 1970s), Myers took them all out and said catch me if you can … they could not. This was a serious flex.
He won the race with a personal best of 3:29.85 — just shy of second-placed Hoare’s 3:29.41 national record.
But Myers did become (as Australian Athletics said) “the first person in the world” to shatter the 3:30 barrier on Australian soil.
Myers already has a string of records to his name and is often compared to Norwegian champion middle-distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen (an Olympic gold medallist in both the 1500m and 5000m).
And right now, Olympic gold does not seem out of reach for the Aussie.
Asked where he ranked Myers, legendary Seven commentator Bruce McAvaney gushed.
“I mean, he’s the best young middle-distance runner we’ve seen,” McAvaney said.
“Ryan Gregson was incredible at 20 when he ran 3:31, but, you know, Herb Elliott was 22 when he won the 1500 in (the Rome Olympics) in 1960. That’s a different time.
“Look, he’s the best we’ve ever seen at his age. I mean, he’s the second youngest ever to break the four-minute mile behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen. And he’s continued to improve.
“What I love about him is that he went out to break the Australian record tonight, no help given.
“His reaction to (just missing it) was almost, ‘Boy, it’s OK, but I could have done better.’ Look, he’s amazing. He really is. I thought Olli ran well, but (Myers) is a special talent …. a special, special talent.”
Kennedy sizzles with sub-10 run
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy has kicked off his national athletics championship campaign in fine style, becoming the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier legally for the 100m on home soil.
Kennedy made the most of perfect conditions and a newly laid track at Sydney Olympic Park’s athletics centre to clock 9.96 in the first heat of the men’s 100m.
Kennedy’s race in Sydney marks the second time the 22-year-old has run sub-10 seconds, following his 9.98 dash at the Kip Keino Classic in Kenya last year.
National record-holder Patrick Johnson is the only other Australian to complete the feat, but ran 9.93 in Mito, Japan, in 2003.
Rohan Browning (9.96 seconds) and teen star Gout Gout (9.99 seconds) have also broken the 10-second mark, but only with illegal tailwinds.
“I didn’t really even expect it. I was just super relaxed. I was definitely pushing it, but yeah, it just felt easy, you know?” Kennedy said.
“I think I got a bit more in the tank, but good to see I’m in good form.
“Definitely honoured to be the first. No one can ever take that away from you.”
Kennedy had cemented his status as Australia’s fastest man at the Maurie Plant Meet a fortnight ago after setting a 100m meet record of 10.03 seconds, before upstaging Gout again to claim the 200m.
Asked if he could shave his 100m time to 9.8 seconds, Kennedy said: “This year, definitely. I think I’ve got so much more to give, but we’re off to a cracking start.
“Of all the conditions, today is probably the best objectively, but at the end of the day, I’m here to win that national final.
“I’m here to get my first national championship, so saving the best for tomorrow.”
Two-time Olympian and defending national 100m champion Browning could not compete with Kennedy’s blistering pace and ran 10.24 to reach Saturday’s semi-final.
Should Kennedy dethrone Browning in the final, he will clinch a spot for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kennedy will also run the 200m in Sydney for the latest chapter of his rivalry with Gout, though the younger Queenslander won’t compete for a Glasgow spot.
– With AAP
