The Australian Masters Athletics Championships returned to the AIS in Canberra this weekend, bringing together athletes from across the country for several days of competition that celebrated performance, resilience and the lifelong pursuit of excellence.
For FAST Running, the championships were particularly special. It marked the first ever Australian Masters Championships for three members of our group — Peter Kent, David O’Keeffe and Matt van der Lugt — while long-time FAST athlete John Lamb delivered another extraordinary championship performance that continues to redefine what is possible in masters athletics.
Across the weekend our athletes demonstrated exactly what FAST Running stands for: commitment, courage and the willingness to step onto the track and test yourself.
First Championships – Peter Kent
For Peter Kent, the championships represented an important milestone: his first time competing at the Australian Masters level.
Peter stepped onto the track in the M55 800m and later tackled the 100m hurdles, embracing the challenge of two very different events across the weekend.
- 800m – 6th place
- 100m Hurdles – 19.67 (-1.2)
- 400m Hurdles – DNF
Like many masters athletes, Peter balances training with work, family and the many responsibilities of everyday life. Competing at nationals is never easy, but simply standing on the start line represents months of preparation and the courage to test yourself against the best in the country.
David O’Keeffe – A Strong Nationals Debut
Also competing at his first Australian Masters Championships, David O’Keeffe produced two impressive performances in the M60 category.
David is known within FAST as a strong endurance athlete who has gradually expanded his event range, and the national championships gave him the opportunity to test himself over both flat and hurdle events.
His results reflected both strength and competitiveness:
- 800m – 2:26.81 (84.67% age grading)
- 300m Long Hurdles – 55.55 – Bronze Medal
Stepping onto the podium at your first national championships is a fantastic achievement and a clear sign that David’s transition into masters athletics has begun strongly.
Matt van der Lugt – Courage to Compete
Perhaps the most inspiring debut came from Matt van der Lugt.
Matt has battled ongoing hip issues, and simply reaching the start line of a national championships was already a victory. What made this even more remarkable was that the championships represented Matt’s first ever athletics competition— not even a Summer Series or local masters event beforehand.
To go straight into the Australian Championships takes courage.
Matt competed in the sprint events in the M65 category:
- 60m – 9.36 (84.19% age grading)
- 100m – 15.15 (79.66% age grading)
For a first competition, the experience gained will be invaluable. Masters athletics often begins with a single moment of curiosity — and quickly becomes a lifelong passion.
Matt’s willingness to step forward despite physical challenges embodies the FAST Running spirit perfectly.
John Lamb – A Championship Performance for the Ages
While several FAST athletes were making their national debut, John Lamb was once again producing performances that continue to inspire the entire athletics community.
Across the championships John competed in seven events in under 70 hours, an extraordinary physical and mental challenge.
His medal haul was remarkable:
- Gold – 100m (14.53)
- Gold – 200m (29.10)
- Gold – 400m (1:07.70)
- Gold – 80m Hurdles (15.25)
- Gold – 300m Hurdles (52.06)
- Silver – 60m (9.03)
- Bronze – 4x100m Relay (ACT Masters)
But the statistics only tell part of the story.
As John reflected after his final event:
“Seven events in under seventy hours — five gold, a silver and a relay bronze. I’m staggered and still shaking about setting an Australian record in my last event. The new hope that brings is exciting.”
John’s recent achievements speak volumes about his extraordinary level of performance in 2025-26:
- Relay World Record
- Australian Relay Record
- Five Individual Australian Records
- Two Oceania Championship Records
- Australian Championship Record (2025)
- Ranked No.1 in the world in three events
- Top six globally across ten events
To witness performances like this from a 76-year-old athlete reminds us why masters athletics is so powerful — excellence does not have an age limit.
The Bigger Picture
For FAST Running, the weekend captured the full spectrum of athletics.
From first-time national competitors finding their feet on the big stage, to record-breaking performances that inspire the global athletics community, the championships showed that the pursuit of running excellence never stops.
Whether stepping onto the track for the first time or chasing world-class performances, every athlete represents the same belief:
Athletics is a lifelong journey.
And at FAST Running, we are proud to walk that journey with athletes of every age.
Event 1022 M55 800 Metre Run
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Age-Grading
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Finals
-- #5633 Kent, Peter M58 ACT MASTERS NT 6th
Event 7037 M55 100 Short Hurdles 91.4cm
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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Finals
5 #5633 Kent, Peter M58 ACT MASTERS 19.67 -1.2
Event 1023 M60 800 Metre Run
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Age-Grading
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Section 1
4 #6075 O'Keeffe, David M61 ACT MASTERS 2:26.81 1:59.41 84.67%
Event 9005 M60 300 Long Hurdles 76.2cm
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Age-Grading
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Finals
3 #6075 O'Keeffe, David M61 ACT MASTERS 55.55
Event 3023 M65 60 Metre Sprint
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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Finals
6 #6577 van der Lugt, Matt M66 ACT MASTERS 9.36 0.3 7.59 84.19%
Event 3056 M65 100 Metre Sprint
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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Finals
5 #6577 van der Lugt, Matt M66 ACT MASTERS 15.15 0.6 12.29 79.66%
Event 3025 M75 60 Metre Sprint
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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Finals
2 #7540 Lamb, John M76 ACT MASTERS 9.03 -0.3 6.69 95.52%
Event 3058 M75 100 Metre Sprint
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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Finals
1 #7540 Lamb, John M76 ACT MASTERS 14.53 -0.7 10.77 90.90%
Event 6021 M75 200 Metre Sprint
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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Finals
1 #7540 Lamb, John M76 ACT MASTERS 29.10 -0.8 21.00 92.00%
Event 7031 M75 400 Metre Sprint
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Age-Grading
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Finals
1 #7540 Lamb, John M76 ACT MASTERS 1:07.70 47.29 91.31%
Event 7041 M75 80 Short Hurdles 76.2cm
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Wind Age-Grading
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1 #7540 Lamb, John M76 ACT MASTERS 15.25 -2.1
Event 9008 M75 300 Long Hurdles 68.6cm
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Comp# Name Age Team Finals Age-Grading
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1 #7540 Lamb, John M76 ACT MASTERS 52.06
Event 6028 M30+ 4x100 Metre Relay State 240+
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Team Finals
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Finals
3 ACT MASTERS ATHLETICS 'A' 56.14
1) 2) #6553 Matthews, Kev 67
3) #7540 Lamb, John 76 4) #4548 Hyland, Scott 45
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