2024 Herb Elliott

The third edition of the Herb Elliott was a huge success with some fast and tactical racing under incredibly challenging conditions. Whilst there was no wind making the sprint events a fast affair the distance events had to contend with oppressive levels of humidity making the races a more tactical affair.

With huge support from the local community in the crowds as well as Benilato Italian Gelato and Byron Home Made pizza keeping everyone fed the athletes put on a great show of racing.

100m

The men’s event was a close affair between last years defending champion, Campbell Harvey and newcomer Aziz Marone. Aziz was fast from the start and took the win in 11.31 from Campbell Harvey (11.69) with Byron Sprints coach Jaime Cascajares in third (12.92)

The women’s event was a wide open affair with less than 1 second separating the podium finishers. Middle distance star, Skye Dogan has spent the summer stepping down to the shorter distances and came away with an upset win in 14.19 from boxer turned hurdler Amy Bailey (14.59) and Miliana Tighe rounding out the podium in third (14.59).

400m

The 400m grew this year seeing an A and B race in both the men’s and women’s fields.

The women’s A race was a fascinating affair with the lead changing multiple times over the 1 lap. 100m winner Skye Dogan, used her middle distance strength to take the sprint double and ran over the top of the field for first (1.06.12) with training partner Sienna Rooney showing she has great closing speed to finish a close second (1.06.65) and Alex Dogan third in 1.07.15.

The men’s race had defending champion and World Youth representative Daniel Williams on the start list and Daniel showed why he is one of the most exciting talents coming through middle distance running globally. Daniel took the win by nearly 5 seconds (51.40) from training partner Joseph Hein (56.07) with 100m specialist Campbell Harvey having his first run over the 400m for third (59.12).

3000m

The longest event on the program was a tough affair for the competitors. High temperatures and even high humidty saw some tactical racing with competitors cautious of running too fast too early. Spartan Champion Liam McKenzie raced a very smart race and used his experience to his advantage, finding a gap in the field with 600m to go and holding onto it to take the win in 9.55. Matt Stevenson raced his usual gutsy way and held onto Liam for as long as he could. Despite the conditions Matt held on for 2nd and was rewarded with a new pb (9.55). Hunter Anderson rounded out the podium for the Men’s elite field (10.20).

The women’s race had defending champion Ruby Hughes line up but QLD youngster Piper Anderson refused to let Ruby have it her own way. The initial early pace proved a little too hot for Piper which Ruby running faster than her 2023 time in 10.10 and Piper taking second in 10.30. 12 year old Alex Dogan ran a huge PB on the grass to take third in 10.42.

Herb Elliott 1500m

As the sun went down and the lights came on, the main event of the evening was underway. 11 women toed the line for the Herb Elliott 1500m with Ruby Hughes attempting the distance double for the second year in a row. Ruby was brave leading from the gun but the heat from the 3000m started to show. Young gun Matilda Duhig put in a huge move with 400m to go and opened an unbeatable gap to take the win in 4.54 from Ruby (5.02) and Byron Bay’s Wyana Pietramale-Sewell in third (5.09).

The men’s event had 12 entrants with a clear favourite in Daniel Williams. Daniel commanded the lead from the gun and was effortless as he made his way around the metric mile to take the win in 4.11.2. However the race behind Daniel was a 6 way battle with a close pack racing together. Byron local Finn Crethar and Coffs Joseph Hein battled it out the entire way down the front straight with Finn dramatically falling across the line to take 2nd place by .2 of a second from Joseph.

Congratulations to Daniel Williams and Wyana Pietramale-Sewell who won the Athletics NSW Herb Elliott trophy

Sponsors & volunteers

This event would not be possible without our sponsors and volunteers. Thank you to the following companies who allow the event to grow and help support local athletes continue to pursue their sporting endeavours.

• Ad on Group

• Clinton & Co Accounting

• Green Coast Finance

• INCA Property Group

• Lennox Footwear Co

• Nature Scapes

• Suffolk Park Motel