Three sub-four-minute Australians, a rising star, and an international field packed with pedigree – the Women’s 1500m at the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne is shaping up as a must-watch event at the World Athletics Continental Gold level meet taking place on March 29 at Lakeside Stadium.
Olympic finalist and the first Australian woman in history to break four minutes Linden Hall (VIC, Ned Brophy-Williams) will lead the charge alongside Olympic semi-finalist Abbey Caldwell (VIC, Gavin Burren) and Sarah Billings (VIC, Nic Bideau) having all joined Australia’s exclusive sub-four minute club, while World Under 20 silver medallist and Olympic semi-finalist Claudia Hollingsworth (VIC, Craig Mottram) is the wildcard ready to shake things up.
Hollingsworth captured the nation’s attention in 2024, dominating headlines during the domestic season before reaching the Olympic semi-finals in the 800m as a teenager, and claiming World Under 20 Championships silver in Lima.
At last year’s Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne, she announced herself to the world when taking down a red-hot field to become the first Australian junior to break the two-minute barrier in the two-lap race. This year she returns, stepping up to the 1500m against some of the best in the business off the back of a dominant win over 800m at last week’s Sydney Track Classic.
“I loved the amazing atmosphere and the crowd at the Maurie Plant Meet last year. Having so much support is incredible for us athletes, knowing people are interested and excited about us and the sport,” Hollingsworth said.
“It would be incredible to go two from two even though I’ll be racing the 1500m. However, the field is strong and I’ll definitely have my work cut out for me. I’m just excited to be out there.”
Hollingsworth will have more than her home-grown idols to contest, with a deep international contingent from six countries lining up against her, as she looks to become the sixth Australian to break the four-minute barrier.
Italian national record holder Sintayehu Vissa will threaten an Australians with her 3:58.11 career-best run at the Olympic Games in Paris, while New Zealand record holder Maia Ramsden (4:02.58), Ethiopia’s Elsabet Amare and Irish Olympian Sophie O’Sullivan (4:00.23) – a regular on the Australian circuit – bring plenty of class to the field.
“I’ve had a great few months of training, I’m committed and motivated in each session. Breaking four-minutes would be super exciting and it’s definitely the goal. We’ll have to wait and see how the race pans out and hopefully everyone is in for a fast race!” Hollingsworth said.
For Hall, these match ups are exactly what makes the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne such a crucial race in the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, conceding the strength of the field will keep her on her toes as the depth of the event grows both domestically and internationally.
“It is incredible how far Australian athletics has come in the past 10 years, and especially in the middle-distance events. Our growing depth makes it more exciting and it really makes a meet like this so much more important to athletes, when we want that pre-Nationals win,” Hall said.
“Having international athletes in the field will definitely lift this race, hopefully making it faster and more exciting for athletes and spectators. The good news is, we will definitely have the local crowd support!”
A World Athletics Continental Tour Gold level meet, the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne is the only meet of this level within the Oceania region, sitting just below the Diamond League in status on the global athletics calendar.
The meet is part of Australia’s premier athletics tour, the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, and is supported by the Victorian Government through its Significant Sporting Events Program.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 18/3/2025
