I’m Poised to Make My Mark: Aussie Running Sensation Cameron Myers Sets Sights on New York Race Career Breakthrough

Talented young runner Cameron Myers is poised to make his mark in the Australian athletics record books — this time among senior competitors.

Hailing from Canberra, the 18-year-old prodigy has already made waves by racing against men during his schoolboy years at just 16 and 17, although he has yet to secure his first national record as an adult athlete.

This could all change when Myers competes in a mile race at an indoor track in New York City on Sunday morning (AEDT).

He’s feeling optimistic about his chances of qualifying for this year’s World Championships, set to take place in Tokyo, and he’ll need to smash the Australian indoor mile record to hit the qualification mark.

Myers’ compatriot, Adam Spencer, will also be competing at the Dr Sander Scorcher event at the Nike Track and Field Centre. This could mean Myers sets a new benchmark of 3:50.83 but misses out on his first senior national record if he finishes behind Spencer.

The primary objective for the Nike-sponsored star is to achieve the 3:50.00 required for September’s World Championships, where he aims to wear the green and gold as a senior athlete for the first time.

“I’m definitely heading to the US to meet the [world championship] standard. I believe the Australian [indoor] record for the mile stands at 3:50.8,” Myers, whose personal best in the mile is 3:50.15, told Wide World of Sports last week.

“After last season, I wrote down my goals and made them simpler. The main aim is to run the standard and secure a top-two finish at nationals [in April] to guarantee selection. From there, I’ll reassess my goals as I progress.”

When Myers set a record with a time of 3:55.44, he became the fastest 16-year-old miler in history, instantly gaining attention in the athletics world.

Later in 2023, he broke the under-18 world record with a stunning 1500m time of 3:33.26, which sent shockwaves through social media.

Myers took down world champion Jake Wightman at a modest Sydney meet early last year, earning widespread acclaim once again.

He qualified for consideration in the 1500m for the Paris Olympics, but ultimately, only three athletes were selected by Athletics Australia—Oliver Hoare, Adam Spencer, and Stewart McSweyn.

At the World Under-20 Championships in Peru this past August, Myers clinched a silver medal in the 1500m, finishing behind Ethiopian Abdisa Fayisa, who is a year his senior.

Since that event, Myers completed Year 12 at Canberra’s Lake Ginninderra College, broke the Australian under-20 record for the 3000m with a time of 7:41.11, and dedicated six weeks to training at altitude in the Snowy Mountains.

“Training has been progressing well. We’ve adjusted a few elements; increased my overall volume slightly, and incorporated faster workouts,” said Myers, who is coached by the esteemed Dick Telford.

“I’m feeling good and well-positioned to aim for the world championship standard during my time in the States.”

Myers’ manager, James Templeton, has planned for him to compete in two races in the US: the mile at the Dr Sander Scorcher meet, followed by another mile at the Millrose Games, which takes place on the same indoor track on February 9 (AEDT).

“I’m hoping the races will be as fast as possible,” Myers remarked.

“There’s a good chance that [Josh] Kerr and [Yared] Nuguse, both medallists from the Paris Olympics, will attempt to break the mile world record at the Millrose Games. A faster pace suits me perfectly, and I usually thrive in that environment. If I can stay competitive for as long as possible during this type of race, it would be amazing.”

Entering 2024, Myers was considered Australia’s hottest teen athletics prospect, but that title is now held by 17-year-old sprinter Gout Gout, who has become such a sensation that Usain Bolt commented on his Instagram: “He looks like young me.”

Other emerging Aussie teens like Delta Amidzovski, Torrie Lewis, and Claudia Hollingsworth have also been making headlines for their impressive achievements in track and field.

“This reflects how competitive junior athletics has become in Australia, and it’s fantastic for the sport that standards are rising,” Myers observed.

“I’m aiming for even greater accomplishments in the future, which comes with increased attention. I guess in the next year, I’d like to step back into the limelight,” he added with a chuckle.

“The support from my team keeps me grounded, and while media exposure is part of the package, it’s all about the results I produce on the track.”