World Championships medallist Kurtis Marschall and Olympic champion Nina Kennedy are throwing a pole vault party at the Perth Track Classic on February 14, confirming their home meet as the first chance for athletics fans to see them in 2026.
The WA Athletics Stadium is regarded as one of the world’s premier pole vault venues and with two of the world’s best athletes on deck, Marschall and Kennedy are ready to raise the bar in front of friends, family and fans.
Adding their names to a growing list of stars including Olympic 800m runner Peter Bol, Australian 100m champion Rohan Browning and Oceania record holder Zoe Hobbs, the local pole vault duo will be front and centre in the action.
Fresh off soaring to his second World Championships bronze medal, world number three Marschall is bringing energy and momentum into the contest – the man with a 5.95m personal best declaring that the sky is the limit.
“The Perth Track Classic is perfect timing this year for a season opener before heading over to Europe. I’m glad I can actually do a competition in Australia this year,” Marschall said.
“You never know what’s going to happen in pole vault. You can go out in any competition and jump massive if you get all your cues right and line it up on the day.
“I’m going into every competition thinking that today could be the day that I jump six metres, so I’m very excited.”
Paris Olympic champion Kennedy’s start in Perth will mark her first competition in 518 days, putting a year of setbacks behind her to return for the 2026 Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, where she is slated to compete at the Perth Track Classic in the lead up to the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne.
A top 10 pole vaulter in history as the Australian record holder at 4.91m, Kennedy will use the SteinPag Women’s Pole Vault as a launchpad back to her best as the 2023 world champion and two-time Diamond League champion – on top of her historic Olympic gold.
World Under 20 Championships bronze medallist Tryphena Hewett (SA) will step up to the challenge along with Olivia Gross (WA), while 17-year-old local Daisy Brayshaw (WA) is enjoying a rapid rise and Misaki Morota (JPN) brings international flare to the field.
The 2026 Perth Track Classic will take place at the WA Athletics Stadium on February 14. The meet is supported by the Western Australia Government, through the Department of Cultural Industries, Tourism and Sport and Venues West.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 30/1/2026
