Cedar Johnson stars at 2024 All Schools Athletics Championships

After a dominant year on the track, one Toowoomba teenage star is turning heads and has his sights set on a home Olympics after another incredible feat. Check out his latest efforts here.

Cedar Johnson of Queensland (middle)

Teenage Toowoomba athletics star Cedar Johnson has gone from strength to strength in 2024 and his career reached a new peak at the All Schools Athletics Championships.

The 14-year-old kicked off the competition with a gold medal in the 2km steeplechase before stepping up in the 3000m run, where he took home the gold medal and set a championship record along the way.

Now, after a breakout 2024, the Darling Downs talent has his sights set on the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

“We will see how we go but Olympics would be great,” he said.

Johnson revealed what he believed would be the key to achieving this dream.

“Just keep training, keep showing up to these events, eating right and hopefully it leads me in the right direction,” he said.

The Darling Downs runner has spent countless hours training while juggling school work and his sacrifices were made all the worthwhile when he crossed over the line in the 3000m run in an unprecedented time of 8:51.10.

“It felt great to set a record and I’m very proud,” Johnson said.

“I reckon it kind of hits you (breaking a record) a day or two afterwards, you’re kinda like ‘wow’.

Darling Downs athlete Cedar Johnson

“There is a fair bit of training that goes in, I train almost every day consecutively, two to three hours a day, six days a week.

“It’s not too bad, you just have to find time and prioritise certain things.”

Johnson’s efforts in the steeplechase were made all the more impressive considering the lack of opportunity he has to train for the event.

“In Toowoomba you don’t actually have the water jump so I am unable to do any training for the water jump which is a bit hard (but) I try not to overthink it,” he said.

Johnson revealed what inspired him to pursue distance running and shared a surprising highlight of his from his career - which was a major turning point for him.

“I always enjoyed it at school and stuff and continued at it into little athletics and really enjoyed it and started training and been like that ever since,” he said.

“One of the biggest highlights is probably two years ago state champs.

“I don't know it is a pretty random event but it just stood out to me that it was my first ever big achievement, I got second in the 1500m and I started to think ‘this is pretty good’.”