Olympic semi-finalist Peyton Craig is out to prove he is more than a two-lap specialist at the Hobart Track Classic, stepping up to the 1500m to flex his range and development as a world-class middle-distance prospect.
Announcing himself as the fastest teenager Australia has ever seen over 800m with the 1:44.11 he set in the 2024 Olympic Games, Craig (VIC, Craig Mottram) has gone on to win World Under 20 silver and represent Australia and the 2025 World Athletics Championships in his short career to date.
Now, he is ready to double the dose on February 28 for the first performance of his Chemist Warehouse Summer Series:
“I always like to open my season with a longer distance to test the off-season training. I have put in a pretty good base phase and deep down, part of me always thinks I might be a 1500m runner,” Craig said.
“Everyone is going on about season openers but I don’t really like to look at it like that. I always want to be at my very best on the start line.
“I’m definitely going in to win the race and run a fast time, that’s my mindset.”
The 20-year-old who owns a personal best of 3:41.13 will take on number one seed Yusuke Takahashi (JPN) at 3:38.69, with the field of emerging talents ready to step up to the occasion as Hobart hosts its first national-level meet in 10 years.
Despite being known for his 800m credentials as a 1:44.07 man to sit third on the Australian all-time list, Craig is backing his triathlon background and racing instincts to carry him to the win, extending his range when opening his 2026 campaign.
“I just need to race smart because I think if I’m in a really good spot with a lap to go, I’m going to be pretty hard to beat,” Craig said.
At the last instalment of the meet in 2016, it was Ryan Gregson who set a meet record of 3:36.74 en route to victory – six months prior to becoming the first Australian man in 40 years to qualify for the Men’s 1500m Final at the Olympic Games.
The 2026 Hobart Track Classic will be hosted on February 28 at Domain Athletic Centre. The Hobart Track Classic is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 20/2/2026
