Stewart McSweyn breaks Australian men’s 1500m record in Doha

Tasmanian long-distance runner Stewart McSweyn has smashed an all-time national record in a stunning 20-year first for Australia.

Stewart McSweyn breaks the all-time Australian 1500m record in Doha.

In front of empty stands, long-distance runner Stewart McSweyn has broken the all-time Australian men’s 1500m record at a Diamond League meet in Doha.

McSweyn ran a personal best time of 3:30.51 on Friday evening to break training partner Ryan Gregson’s record of 3:31.06, which has stood for 10 years.

After speeding ahead of the pacemakers on the final lap, the 25-year-old ran his last 300m in 41.37, ending the event comfortably ahead of second-placed Selemon Barega from Ethiopia.

Commentator Steve Cram cried: “He just gives it a go, doesn’t he? He doesn’t care about, ‘Will I be able to stay with it or not?’ He knows he’s in great shape.”

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Incredibly, the feat comes just nine days after McSweyn broke the Australian men’s 3000m record in Rome, which was also a continental record.

NEW NATIONAL RECORD!

An emphatic victory for Stewart McSweyn in the 1500m at Doha in a time of 3:30.51.

The time knocks off Ryan Gregson's mark of 3:31.06 which stood for 10 years. #thisisathletics #athstogether pic.twitter.com/rAOtbc7Zef

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) September 25, 2020

The Tasmanian now holds all of the 1500m, 3000m and 10,000m national records, becoming the first Australian to achieve the feat.

“Obviously I’m very happy. I came here knowing I was in good shape. I’ve had a good European season so I just wanted to be competitive, I wanted to give it everything,” McSweyn said.

“That’s why I got right on the pace because I like running and finding out how good I am and not worrying too much about other people.

“Any race you lead in such a high-quality field you know you’re going to have guys hunting you.

“I just made sure I held it together because I knew if I slipped up just two per cent I was going to get caught by that whole second pack.”

Hear from Stewart McSweyn following his emphatic victory and incredible national record 3:30:51 over 1500m at the Wanda Diamond League in Doha overnight.
-#thisisathletics #athstogther #athleticsaustralia pic.twitter.com/e2TndbzoWp

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) September 25, 2020

During the same meet in Doha, long-distance runner Jessica Hull improved her personal best by 32 seconds to break the Australian women’s 3000m record — which was set by Benita Willis since 2003 — finishing the event in 8:36.03.

Hull is the first Australian woman to consecutively hold the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m national records.

As revealed by athletics statistician David Tarbotton, it has been 20 years since two Australians broke national record on the same day, the last such occurrence happening during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

20 years since 2⃣ Australian’s 🇦🇺 broke national records on the same day:

25 Sept 2020 #DohaDL
Jessica Hull 3000m 8:36.03
Stewart McSweyn 1500m 3:30.51

29 Sept 2000 #SydneyOlympics
Australian women heat 4x400m relay 3:24.05
Debbie Sosimenko HT 67.95 pic.twitter.com/0unEMyiCay

— David Tarbotton (@David_Tarbotton) September 25, 2020

After a chaotic and heavily interrupted season, McSweyn’s focus now shifts to next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“I know I still have to get a lot better if I want to be right around the medals in Tokyo and that’s going to be the aim,” McSweyn said.

“I know I have to train 5 per cent harder, keep adding to what I have already done and keep getting better for next year.”