Aussie running sensation Cameron Myers shatters 17-year national record just a day after Izzi Batt-Doyle’s historic achievement

Teenage running prodigy Cameron Myers smashed an Australian record that had stood for 17 years with a blistering performance in Boston on Monday (AEDT), just one day after Izzi Batt-Doyle broke a longstanding Australian half-marathon record that had lasted for a quarter of a century.

Myers achieved a time of 7:33.12 in the 3000m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, eclipsing Craig Mottram’s national indoor record of 7:34.50, which was set at the same event in 2008.

This impressive feat followed Batt-Doyle’s record-breaking run in Marugame, Japan, on Sunday, where the two-time Olympian clocked 67:17, surpassing the late Kerryn McCann’s Australian record of 67:48 set in Tokyo in 2000.

Already the holder of six Australian under-age records, along with the men’s under-18 1500m world record, the 18-year-old Myers secured his first senior national record on Monday (AEDT).

Representing Nike and hailing from Canberra, Myers fell just 0.25 seconds short of the under-20 indoor world record.

In Boston, Myers finished third behind Irish runner Andrew Coscoran (7:30.75) and French competitor Azeddine Habz (7:31.50).

Though Myers established a new indoor record, the fastest 3000m time by an Australian man in any event remains Stewart McSweyn’s 7:28.02 from the 2020 Rome Diamond League.

Coached by Dick Telford, Myers is anticipated to make his senior Australian debut at the World Championships in Tokyo this September.

He aims to qualify for the 1500m by contesting a mile at the Millrose Games in New York City on Sunday, with a target time of 3:50.00.

Meanwhile, in Marugame, Batt-Doyle secured third place and set her second Australian record.

The 29-year-old from Adelaide, guided by coach Nic Bideau, is also the holder of the Australian women’s 10km road record, which she set at 31:15 during the Albert Park event in Melbourne last September.

“This achievement holds immense significance for me,” Batt-Doyle remarked regarding breaking McCann’s record.

“We have some incredible women holding our records, and to take one from Kerryn that has endured since 2000 highlights how remarkable her achievement was. It’s astonishing she set that time 25 years ago!

“Kerryn was an extraordinary athlete taken from us too soon. I hope she is looking down and feeling proud to see girls pushing her records. Her Commonwealth Games run at the MCG in 2006 still gives me chills just recalling it.”

Batt-Doyle has participated in the 5000m at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

While Myers was eligible for selection for the 1500m at the Paris Games, there were only three spots available, and Australian Athletics selectors chose McSweyn, Oliver Hoare, and Adam Spencer instead.