Australian Athletics lights up Lakeside Stadium
Published: 13 April 2026Melbourne came alive as another Maurie Plant Meet turns into a run-away success, showcasing Australian athletics stars.
Lakeside Stadium was buzzing with the crowd bringing as much energy as the athletes to the two-day event.
Pole vaulter Nina Kennedy continued her phenomenal form, securing the victory. The reigning world champion soared to new heights with a spectacular clearance of 4.72m.
It was her second consecutive win at the Maurie Plant Meet, cementing her place in the history books of the event.
For a second year in a row, Lachlan Kennedy and Gout Gout went head-to-head in a photo finish, with Lachlan taking the crown once again and winning in the 200 metres by 0.05 of a second.
This friendly rivalry isn’t over, with Gout Gout setting his eyes on the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships.
World Under 20 record holder Cameron Myers continued his trailblazing career when racing to the fastest time ever on Australian soil and winning the John Landy 1500m.
The Maurie Plant Meet forms part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, drawing top international athletes to Australia’s sporting capital.
With the next generation of track and field stars leading the way, the prestigious meet highlighted Melbourne as a global athletics hub.
Transcript
Vision: Male athletes finishing the 200m on a blue track
Vision: A woman pole vaulting in a bright yellow top and black leggings.
Vision: Female athletes running the 1500m in a crowd on a blue track.
Vision: A male athlete holding up a trophy wearing a white and black singlet, his name bib says Kennedy.
Vision: The back of a male athlete as he finishes his race clapping the crowd with his hands above his head.
Para athletes running 100m on the blue track
Lachlan Kennedy 100m and 200m Winner
I mean, yeah, an absolute treat to run in front of this crowd.
Vision: A male athlete in a blue, white and orange singlet holding a trophy.
Cameron Myers Mens 1500m Winner
This is one of my Lucky Charms, I reckon, Lakeside is a good track to me. so I'll have to keep coming back here year after year.
Vision: A male athlete in a blue, white and orange singlet giving an interview in front of a blue screen with World Athletic Continental Tour 2026 branded behind him on the screen.
Vision: A male athlete in a blue, white and orange singlet and black running shorts winning the 1500m on a blue track and pointing to his time then the crowd.
Chad Perris Mens 100m Para Winner
It’s great to come out here and put in a show for the crowd and get their get their eyeballs on para athletics
Vision: Para athlete in green singlet signing items for the crowd that has come out to support the meet.
Vision: Mens Para 100m on a blue track, athlete in green singlet crosses the line first.
Vision: Mens 200m finish line on a blue track, focussing on 2 athletes who finish neck and neck.
Lachlan Kennedy Mens 100m and 200m Winner
I mean, every time we race, it's like thrilling
Vision: close of up of female athlete in black top and shorts catching her breath after a race.
Vision: Male athlete in white, blue and orange singlet and black running shorts going up to the crowd that are waiting trackside and high fiving them.
Vision: Two male athletes hugging at the finishing line. One is in a white singlet one is in a black singlet.
Vision: Female pole vaulter clearing the height and landing with flames going off around her, the crowd cheering and her applauding the crowd.
Claudia Hollingsworth Womens 1500m Winner
Yeah, this many people down for Australian Athletics is awesome and super exciting.
Vision: Male athlete in white singlet with black and orange stripes down the back high fives crowd at waiting trackside.
Vision: Close up of male athlete singing their name on their running bib to give to crowd.
Vision: Close up of female pole vaulter post jump in yellow top fist pumping and celebrating victory and smiling at the camera.
Vision: Fade to black
Vision: Title with graphics and text: Department of Jobs Skills Industry and Regions Victorian Government