Tag Archives: Abbey Caldwell

LOCAL GIRL Abbey Caldwell has been in good form recently, racing in the Diamond League competition in Europe.
On July 16, Abbey ran in the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial 800m event in Silesia, Poland, where she finished 5th and ran a Personal Best (PB) time of 1:58.48 — which was not only an Olympic qualifying time but the second fastest Australian female time.
Five days later, Abbey raced in the Herculis Women’s Mile in Monaco, running 4:20.51 and achieving another PB and an Olympic qualifier.
This mile race was also significant because the female world record was run by Kenyan Faith Kipyegon, the third world record she set this year.
Running with some of the world’s best, this is the second race in 2023 in which Abbey has been in the same race as Faith.
The other was in Florence in early June in the 1500m.
In early August, Abbey ran the 1000m at the CITIUS Meeting in Bern, Switzerland. Finishing 1st, Abbey has smashed the 1000m Australian record, running a 2:34.63, making her the fastest Australian woman ever over 1,000 metres.
Abbey’s teammate Linden Hall finished second with a time of 2:35.12. Linden was the previous record holder for the 1000m race, having set the record at Box Hill in 2021, running a 2:35.90.
Coach Gavin Burren was pleased with Abbey’s performances and exposure to world-class races with the world’s best athletes.
Her continual improvement and regular dropping of PBs has been exciting to watch, especially in the lead-up to the World Athletics Championships later this month and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the lead-up to the Worlds, Abbey has based herself in Leuven in Belgium and, importantly, now has close family support from older brother Alex, currently residing in London.
Australian female middle-distance running has never been stronger or more exciting, with both Jessica Hull and Linden Hall having outstanding form in Europe and setting Australian records.
The girls continue to push each other, have a genuine competitive friendship, and enjoy each other’s achievements.
The 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships will be in Budapest, Hungary, at the National Athletics Centre. Excitingly, it has been announced that Abbey has made the team and will be running in 800m and 1500m later this month.
Abbey is also now a Puma-sponsored athlete, which has helped somewhat with the enormous cost of training and competing in Europe.
Like many, Abbey began her running journey in grassroots athletics.
For any queries on joining East Doncaster Little Athletics, contact Lisa Williams on 0408 140 461, and for the older athletes, Doncaster Athletics Club president Nathan Down by email on: president@doncasterac.org.au.