Jess Hull is taking on Australian athletics' most ambitious schedule in a generation. The world 1500m medallist has confirmed she will contest the 800m, 1500m and 5000m at the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre from April 9 to 12, a triple that most of her peers would not even consider.
Hull, speaking to Australian Athletics ahead of the championships, explained the unusual entry list was born out of a conversation with her father and coach Daniel Lewis.
"It started as a joke with Dad, Daniel and I in November," Hull said. "That turned into motivation because I want to win and believe I can, that's why I'm trying it."
The 29-year-old was clear, however, that the triple is underpinned by a single priority. Her globally-recognised specialty, the 1500m, remains the focus.
"The 1500m is first and that's the priority event, that's my event. The rest of the weekend is just fun at that point and we saw in Tokyo that when I was having fun, I was running really well," Hull said.
The home crowd factor is real. Hull is from New South Wales and the fixture places her on a home stage for what looks likely to be one of her busiest domestic meets in years.
"I'm super excited! Sydney is the best place to host Nationals in my biased opinion, I'm from New South Wales and have so much family coming across the weekend."
Hull's schedule is the headline act of a championships that doubles as the primary selection meeting for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Tokyo outdoor World Championships, and the late-season Diamond League circuit. World Championship medallist Peter Bol will run the 800m and 1500m, and told reporters the Australian Championships remained "the pinnacle of athletics here in Australia." Teenage sprinting sensation Gout Gout will face Lachlan Kennedy in another instalment of their burgeoning 200m rivalry, while world-ranked pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and world indoor silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers headline the field events.
Broadcast coverage is set for 7plus across the four days, with ticket sales running through Intix.
For Hull, though, the week is a test of range as much as form. The last athlete to seriously contest an 800m-1500m-5000m triple at a senior Australian championship is not easily named; completing it cleanly, in a selection year, would be one of the more distinctive achievements of her career.
