The Prefontaine Classic turns 50 this weekend, and Australia’s best track stars will be right in the thick of celebrations as Hayward Field gets set to host one of the most iconic stops of the Diamond League circuit.
Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull returns to her alma mater for her first Diamond League appearance of the season, while national record holders Ollie Hoare and Cameron Myers take on the Bowerman Mile and Lachlan Kennedy steps into a 100m showdown like never before.
Australian viewers can tune in live and free from 6am AEST on the Wanda Diamond League YouTube channel. Full entries are available here.
Men’s 100m
6:12am AEST
For over 20 years, no Australian had cracked the elusive sub-10 barrier—until Lachlan Kennedy (Andrew Iselin) rewrote the history books in Kenya last month, scorching to 9.98.
Now, after a brief break from racing due to injury, Australia’s fastest man returns to the blocks at the Prefontaine Classic, stepping into the deepest waters of his career. Facing a stacked field of sub-10 sprinters, Kennedy is ranked sixth on season bests but will be tested like never before against some of the planet’s premier speedsters.
Among them is Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, the Olympic silver medallist in what was the tightest 100m final in Olympic history. Trayvon Bromell (USA) brings firepower with a personal best of 9.76 and a season-leading 9.84 set in Rome, while Zharnel Hughes (GBR) adds flair as Britain’s national record holder in both the 100m (9.83) and 200m (19.73).
Rounding out the field are Americans Christian Coleman and Brandon Hicklin—whose 9.93 will have the Hayward Field crowd roaring with anticipation.
Bowerman Mile
7.32am AEST
It’s the most iconic mile race in the world and this year’s Bowerman Mile promises fireworks, with two Australians at the heart of the action.
Olli Hoare (Dathan Ritzenhein) and Cameron Myers (Dick Telford) share more than just the national record at 3:47.48, both will line up in Eugene with a point to prove.
For Hoare, it’s a return to the scene of his 3:49.11 finish in 2024, which helped lock in his spot for Paris after a season disrupted by injury. We haven’t seen too much of Hoare in 2025, but if there’s any place to make another statement, it’s the place of his NCAA title at Hayward Field.
Myers, meanwhile, has made history almost every time he’s raced this season. The 19-year-old phenom continues to stack up qualifiers and records, having come so far since he placed 11th in Eugene in 3:50.15 one year ago. While he raced as a rising star last year, this year he takes to the start line as a serious contender.
Standing in their way? Arguanly the greatest mile field ever assembled. World No. 2 Yared Nuguse (USA) leads the charge with a 3:43.97 PB – the fourth fastest in history, and is joined by Cole Hocker (USA), Azeddine Habz (FRA) rand the Kenyan trio of Timothy Cheruiyot, Reynold Cheruiyot and Abel Kipsang, all proven performers. British duo Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley add more bite to the field, with Wightman returning to form after injury and Gourley entering with a 3:47.74 season’s best. Add in Dutch talent Niels Laros and Australia’s own Abraham Alvarado, and every name on the start list has the potential to leave a mark.
Women’s 1500m
7:50am AEST
There’s no place like home, and for Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull (Simon Hull), Hayward Field is hallowed ground. The middle distance great returns to the track that shaped her as a collegiate star with the University of Oregon, ready to line up in her first Diamond League appearance of the season for the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic.
Ranked number two in the world with the fifth fastest 1500m time in global history (3:50.83), Hull re-emerses herself in the world of Diamond League with momentum built through a commanding season on the Grand Slam Circuit.
Leading the charge in the 15-strong field is none other than Faith Kipyegon (KEN), the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder. While focussed on her attempt to break the four-minute barrier in the mile, the Kenyan superstar hasn’tr aced much in 2024 but whenever she lines up, fireworks follow.
Adding to the Olympic final rematch is Great Britain’s Georgia Bell, who raced to bronze behind Hull last year, while Ethiopia’s Diribe Weleji (3:52.75) and Freweyni Hailu will have the Australian on her toes.
With 11 athletes in the field boasting sub-four minute bests, and eight of them clocking faster than 3:58 this year alone, it’s a race that promises depth and elite-level racing from the gun.
Pre-program events
5:51am
International Mile
In a field of USA’s top milers, Adam Spencer (Mick Byrne) lines up as one of four internationals in the International Mile – a non Diamond League event in the pre-event program.
With three Australians already qualified for the 1500m in Tokyo, Spencer will be looking to impress with a sub 3:50 time to add him in the mix selection and will be looking for a fast race, with his personal best at 3:53.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 4/7/2025
