IPSWICH’S athletics scene is on a hot streak – and not just because of the Queensland summer.
From Tonga to Tokyo, and right back home at the State Athletics Facility, local athletes are soaring, sprinting and spinning their way through a packed calendar.
The Ipswich and Districts Athletic Association has just struck Gold – literally – earning Gold Medal Accreditation from the Good Sports Association.
The recognition celebrates the club’s commitment to healthy, safe and inclusive sport. Turns out, it’s not just medals the team’s collecting this season.
And with events stacking up faster than a relay baton handoff, there’s little rest in sight.
The Benita Willis Shield and Queensland 5000m Championships kicked off the action at UQ last week, before the Queensland Relay Championships hit Nathan’s State Athletics Facility later this week.
The Joanna Stone and Darren Thrupp Shields round out the month, before the big one – the Australian All Schools Championships – sees the state’s best head south to Melbourne from December 4 to 8.
Queensland team selections are on the line, so no pressure, kids!
Meanwhile, a few Ipswich locals have already been flying the flag internationally.
At the Oceania Cup in Tonga, Claire Couws hopped, skipped and jumped her way to bronze in the triple jump (10.94m) and long jump (5.38m), while Connor Larsen soared to silver in the high jump with an impressive 2.10m.
Not to be outdone, Leanne Hilton turned the Masters division into her own personal medal factory – grabbing gold in the shot put and discus, and silver in hammer, javelin, and weight throw. That’s what you call a clean sweep with style.
And if you thought the track was cooling down – think again. Ipswich’s own Jude Thomas blitzed the Noosa Asics Bolt 5km in just 13 minutes and 51 seconds, winning by 21 seconds. That’s back-to-back titles for Thomas, who recently represented Australia in the 1500m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
As the end of 2025 approaches, Ipswich athletes are proving one thing: the city’s golden glow isn’t just from the Good Sports badge – it’s from the sheer brilliance lighting up every track, field, and finish line.
