Mackay’s Justin Rule wins gold at Oceania Athletics Championships

From the podium to the office desk in minutes, Mackay’s Justin Rule has a story all too familiar to those involved with amateur sport. Read about his gruelling week.

Having just been crowned the 5km champion of Oceania in his age group, Justin Rule would have been excused if he wanted to celebrate or at the very least put his feet up.

Instead, he began a race of a very different kind - to make it back to the office.

Rule admitted the day seated at a desk proved to be a real challenge as he attempted to balance his busy week on the track with his work and also ensuring he took the necessary recovery steps.

Rule on Friday returned to the Oceania Championships at the Mackay ARC for the 3000m steeplechase in the morning and 1500m run in the afternoon.

He said there was no real secret to the juggling act.

“It is eat, sleep, work, train and that’s pretty much it,” he said.

“I’ve been doing a lot of stretching and long runs is the key for that relaxation and just getting the body moving.

“Sitting down all day is just about the worst thing you can do.”

Despite the gruelling schedule, Rule has been thrilled with his results so far.

“That time I just ran in the steeple would have won the Australian Championships in Brisbane back in March, so I’ve been training hard since then,” he said.

“It was a personal best yesterday in the 5000 as well so it’s all coming together really nice at the right time.”

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In the steeplechase event, the Masters were bundled in with the Under-20s which meant Rule was pitted against the future of the sport.

“Those guys are Australian champions so it was good to mix it with the big boys,” he said.

As for what kept him invested in athletics, Rule said it was both the camaraderie and the health and wellbeing benefits.

“The other Masters at the club are really good friends and it’s just good to catch up with them and see how they’re going and enjoying the sport together,” he said.

“There’s certainly a mental health aspect of sport and running I just find is quite relaxing.

“It’s an individual sport, you don’t have to keep up with anyone if you don’t want to but it’s just a really good release at the end of the day.”

He said the Oceania Championships was his first international event and he was proud to see Mackay host some of the emerging talents of Australian athletics.

Rule’s boys Oliver and Toby have also competed over the week, with Toby taking on his brother Oliver in the Under-18s.