Monique Hanlon

Monique Hanlon’s journey is one of patience and perseverance, overcoming many injuries along the way to now at the age of 21 compete for Australia at the World Relay Championships and be selected for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Two weeks before Glasgow she made a breakthrough that her career had been promising, when she ran a 0.71 seconds 200m PB time of 22.60 in Stratford on July 12. She jumped from #51 to #10 Australian all-time.

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Brisbane sprinter Monique Hanlon started her athletics journey very young, at Centenary Little Athletics when she was aged 6 years.

“It was after the school athletics carnival where I ran all the way but stopped just short of the finish line. My parents decided to get me into little athletics to learn how to run a race all the way to the end.”

Monique’s athletics journey has seen a lot of success throughout her teenage years at junior Australian Championships. A highlight being in 2019 when she won the Australian under-16 sprint double. But there have been challengers: “I have struggled with recurring back and foot stress injuries since I was 14 and missed out on junior international teams which felt like the world at the time.”

The COVID years of 2020 and 2021 were particular difficult. She competed a few times in early 2020 and not at all in 2021.  “I struggled with repeated stress injuries.”

She admits she nearly gave the sport away: “There was a point where I was ready to give up sprinting after a stress injury. My coach (Luke Donatini) has always offered his unwavering support and believed in me in times I didn’t believe in myself.”

The 2023 campaign, for the now 19-year-old, saw her back on track smashing her 4-year-old PBs dating back to 2019. She took 0.44 seconds from her 100m PB and 0.28 seconds from her 200m PB. She also placed third at Nationals in the U20 200m. She was rewarded with selection on the Australian U20 European Tour team to England and Germany.

2024 was a solid year as she transitioned into seniors. Set a 100m PB (11.58) and made the open Nationals sprint finals. But her 2024/25 was impacted by more injuries. “In November 2024 I found out I had bilateral stress reactions in my lower back and had to face taking more time away from the sport to recover.” But fortunately, the season was not a complete write off: “My first 200m was at nationals in Perth (2025) where I made the open final and PBed after thinking I was out for the season.”

It seemed to be a turning point for Monique, now 21-years-old, heading into her 2025/26 season. It started with a windy 11.42w in November 2025, as she went on to compile an incredible domestic season where she went undefeated over 200m at the three Track Classic 200s in Perth, Hobart and Melbourne. At the Australian Championships she was 4th in the 100m and 3rd in a close 200m final. She also brought her PBs down to 11.49 and 23.31.

During the summer, she also became a fixture on the Australian relay team, racing with the team on seven occasions. The highlight was undoubtedly selection for the World Relays in May. Running third leg on the 4x100m, they were unfortunately disqualified in the heat. On day two they had a second chance and won their semifinal and qualified the Australian team for the 2027 world championships. The team clocked an outstanding time of 42.88 – the fifth fastest time in Australian history and close to the second fastest ever.

In June she was named on the Australian team for the Commonwealth Games where she will compete in the 200m and on the 4x100m relay team.

Most memorable sporting achievement: Making school nationals for the first time in year 6 and getting gold in the 200m and bronze in the 100m was very special to me. It was my first big competition, and I was just happy to be there…Idol: Sally Pearson. I had her book signed at a little athletics carnival and hoped I would become a hurdler…Most influential person in your career: My parents are my biggest support and dedicate so much of their own time to helping my sister and I to train at 100%. Seeing my parents overcome their own battles really puts into perspective how lucky I am when I am healthy, and training well and also motivates me to come back stronger from setbacks. I also owe my progression to my coach (seven years with Luke Donatini). There was a point where I was ready to give up sprinting after a stress injury. My coach has always offered his unwavering support and believed in me in times I didn’t believe in myself…Advice to your young self: Embrace both the highs and the lows. Running PBs now is so much more special knowing how long it’s taken to get here…Hobbies: Going for coffee with friends, travelling, beach days and a good book… Interesting family facts: younger sister Marissa is also a 100m/200m athlete and trains with Monique; Great Grandfather Ned Hanlon was former Queensland Premier… Sporting ambition: Making a senior Australian team! It’s always been my dream to make an Olympics or Commonwealth Games…Education: Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane (in 2026 third year)…Biggest challenge faced: It’s been a challenge transitioning into the opens age group from a junior level and wanting to prove my abilities whilst dealing with injuries. I have struggled to have a solid training block without interruptions which has made it difficult to stay motivated when my times sometimes don’t reflect what I know I am capable of.

@ 13 July 2026 David.tarbotton@athletics.org.au