Adam Spencer

BIOGRAPHY

After a breakthrough season in 2023, Adam Spencer has continued to impress as one of Australia’s finest metric milers.

The 2023 campaign by Adam Spencer was breathtaking. In his second year at college in America, he sliced six seconds from his 1500m personal best to become the fourth fastest in Australian history. He was not just fast against the clock, but competitive in races, third in the NCAA 1500m and progressed to the semi-finals in his Australian team debut at the world championships.

In 2024, fresh off a silver medal at the NCAA Indoor championships, he was a surprise winner of the Australian 1500m title over a stacked field. Back in the US, he placed third in the NCAA outdoor 1500m. In his Olympic debut in Paris, Adam placed eighth in his 1500m heat (3:37.48). The next day he competed in the repechage where he clocked a quick time of 3:34.45 when placing sixth.

In 2025, ahead of a trip down under, he won bronze in the 3000m at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He complied a strong campaign in Australia, placing second in the 1500m at the Maurie Plant Meet in March and second at the Australian Championships in Perth in April.

Back in America at college he was involved in one of the greatest NCAA 1500m races. A tactical race, 11 of the 12 finishes finished with 0.68 seconds at the finish, with Adam placing fourth 0.08 seconds from the podium. Post college his campaign included 4th in the Pre mile, 4th in Berlin and a seasons best of 3:32.88 in London.

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After having success at his school carnival, Adam Spencer joined Moorabbin Little Athletics Centre and started competing in the under-10s. He had tremendous success early winning State titles and setting National records. His success continued into high schools at Wesley College under coach Tim O’Shaughnessy where he primarily focused on 800m and also ran the 400m and 1500m events.

In the domestic season of 2021, after he had graduated from school and ahead of joining University of Wisconsin-Madison mid-year, Adam dropped his 1500m PB by five seconds down to 3:39.94.

Now under coach Mick Byrne in his first season in 2022, he set PBs indoors and outdoors over 800m, 1500m and mile.

His progression in the first seven months of 2023 was significant, PBs of three seconds in the 800m (1:46.84), six seconds in the 1500m (3:31.81) and two seconds in the mile (3:55.12). At the NCAAs in June he was third in the 1500m. But his 3:31 1500m was the standout performance. He moved from number 29 Australian all-time to number 4 as he removed five seconds from his PB. The performance was at the London Diamond League for which he received a very late call up to run to replace an injured athlete. He was also named in the Australian team for the Budapest World Championships where he gave a tremendous account of himself, progressing to the semi-final after placing third in his heat in a time of 3:34.17.

Memorable sporting moments: Winning Penn Relays with my teammates in the DMR, Running 3:31 in London with my Aunty and family friends from England watching…Hero: Kobe Bryant…Most influential person in career: My coaches. Tim O’Shaughnessy has truly had a significant impact on the person I am today. He has taught me so much about discipline, sportsmanship, dedication and building a strong team culture. He has also helped me build a really strong foundation for my running career. Also Mick Byrne. He has given me new perspectives on training whilst also reinforcing old perspectives. He has taught me so much about training, racing and brotherhood…Advice to your young self: Be patience and keep working hard but also enjoy yourself. There will be times where things don’t go the way you want to, and you won’t be too sure why. The work you put in does not necessarily equate to instant results but if you keep chipping away, the results will eventually show. Also, enjoy yourself more. Running is a tough sport and we need some fun in our life otherwise it can make our lives miserable. Don’t take everything so seriously, especially as a kid… Hobbies: listening to music, watching movies and fishing with mates in summer at Madison, 2-hour naps…Sporting ambition: Win as many Olympic and world medals as possible…Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Finance major(2022-2025)…Other sports: AFL (East Brighton Vampires)…Interesting facts: parents are from the UK and I’m the first person in my family to be born in Australia… Causes you care about: Mental health and struggling communities…Enjoyment/benefits of running: It teaches you to have a good work ethic and discipline which can be beneficial to everyday life – what you put in is what you get out. You also meet awesome people and make great friendships… Post-college plans: I would like to continue running and also work in the finance industry

@ 18 Aug 2025 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au