Seth O’Donnell

BIOGRAPHY

Seth O’Donnell has taken a different pathway to the top. With virtually no junior career in athletics until age 19, days after his 24th birthday he makes his Australian team debut in Tokyo over 5000m

Seth’s journey has included winning two Australian XC titles while managing his demanding physiotherapy studies. His journey has also included self-coaching which he describes as: “Self-exploration that was really important for me because it helped me understand the sport on a deeper level.” This year he has incorporated the coaching of Andrew Russell: “From day one we were completely aligned in philosophy and approach.”

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Sport growing up for Seth O’Donnell was all about playing AFL/Australian Rules football. “I played in an under 19s flag at the Dingley Dingoes when I was 16. Loved footy so much all I ever wanted to do was play for the Hawks (Hawthorn AFL team).”

In his last year at school and running with no tactical knowledge and just fitness from playing AFL, he won a State title.

“When the footy season finished a few years back, I didn’t really have anything else to do. Then COVID hit and from there I never looked back. I was 19 when I properly took up athletics.”

In his final year as an under-20 athlete, he clocked PBs of 3:54 (1500m), 8:31 (3000m) and 14:44 (5000m).

At the end of the COVID years, in August 2022, Seth had a breakthrough winning the Australian Cross Country Championships at the muddy/boggy Oatlands venue in Adelaide. During the year he had reduced his PBs to 13:54.92 (5000m) and 29:25 (road 10km) and 63:50 (half marathon).

In 2024 his times continued to tumble, but largely at longer distances – 28:56 and 28:42 (10km road), three 63-minute times and a best of 62:05 (half marathon). He also won his second Australian Cross Country title, again on a muddy course, this time in Launceston.

His 2025 campaign was a turning point in his athletics career. Seth placed a brilliant second in a qualify field in the 5000m at the Maurie Plant Meet in March 2025 in a PB time of 13:14.57. Prior to 2025 he had not broken 14 minutes for 5000m. Then in April he won the National 5000m title in a thrilling race against a quality field. Not one to reflect, Seth does note it is one of his most memorable moments so far: “It was special, and it showed me that the work and persistence had been worth it.”

Mid-year in Europe he chased a qualifier and World Athletics ranking points for possible World Championships selection. He ran 5000m times of 13:17 and 13:18 and a 3000m PB of 7:34. They were sufficient for Seth to qualify for Tokyo by points.

Self-coaching journey for Seth

“For a long time I coached myself, experimenting and learning as much as I could about physiology and training late last year and into this year. That self-exploration was really important for me because it helped me understand the sport on a deeper level. Early in 2025 I linked up with my current coach (Andrew Russell), and from day one we were completely aligned in philosophy and approach. Not long after that, I won the national 5k title on the track.”

Occupation: Physiotherapist…Education: Physiotherapy at Monash University in Melbourne, graduated in 2024… Hobbies: I play the drums, and I’ve always loved footy — I’m a big Hawthorn supporter…Interesting facts: I’m in a band called Adhesion. Music has always been a big part of my life. Hard hitting hard rock! https://www.instagram.com/adhesionofficial/?hl=en …Biggest challenge you’ve faced: Setbacks and dealing with doubt — whether that’s people not believing in me, people holding me back, or periods when I wasn’t happy. Those times tested me, but they also built resilience…Hero: John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. His energy and creativity behind the drums has always inspired me….Most influential people in career: a) Peter Wagner, my PE teacher, has been backing me since I was 13. He cared so much about my development, and I trust him completely. B) Aaron Kellett has shaped how I think about high performance and physiology. He’s so knowledgeable but also very pragmatic, and just a genuine bloke. C) Steve Moneghetti has also been a huge influence. There’s no better person in athletics. He’s given so much to me and my family without ever asking for anything back…Advice to your young self: Keep giving it one more shot. Even if it feels like nothing changes straight away, trust that it adds up. Have full faith you’ll eventually arrive and make your mark… Sporting ambition: To make a difference — not just in results but in what I can contribute to the sport and to others…Other sports played at a high level: AFL/Australian Football…Leadership: School captain of Keysborough College for 2019 in his final year at the school… Family: My parents are incredibly hard-working people. They didn’t come from a sporting background, but they’ve always had complete faith in me…Famous relatives: My grandfather was a physiotherapist at Hawthorn Football Club.

@ 12 Sept 2025 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au