Bank Balance Boost Consoles Myers, Hull in Ultimate Experience

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Australian athletes Cameron Myers and Jessica Hull each secured six-figure prizes with second-place finishes in the men’s 1500 meters and women’s 5000 meters, respectively, at the first World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. Their performances highlighted their tactical skill and resilience, while the event itself set a new standard for season finales by combining high competition quality with innovative formats and substantial prize money.

Australian athletes Cameron Myers and Jessica Hull each earned six-figure prizes following strong performances at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, held over three days in Budapest, Hungary. The event, designed as a season finale, drew praise both for competition quality and the innovative format introduced by World Athletics.

Myers finished second in the men's 1500 meters, closely trailing Britain’s Josh Kerr. Kerr claimed the title in 3 minutes 29.35 seconds and received $209,000 for his victory, while the 20-year-old Myers took home $105,000 for his runner-up finish in 3:29.68. Without the aid of pacemakers, Myers demonstrated tactical maturity by positioning himself strategically throughout the race, overtaking Olympic medallists Yared Nuguse and Cole Hocker before settling into second place on the final lap. Reflecting on the race, Myers described his effort as nearly perfect but acknowledged Kerr’s superior strength in the closing stretch. Myers called the season “awesome,” highlighting his win at the Brussels Diamond League final, setting a new Australian record, and securing a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

Jessica Hull rebounded from a disappointing ninth-place finish in the 1500 meters the day prior by delivering her personal best time in the 5000 meters, clocking 14:32.39. This effort moved her to second on Australia’s all-time list for the event. Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw won the race comfortably in 14:30.36. Hull surged from the pack in the final 200 meters, climbing the inside lane to secure second place. Commonwealth Games champion Rose Davies finished sixth with a time of 14:35.64. Hull described her 5000m performance as more representative of her abilities, emphasizing mental resilience after the previous day’s setback. She credited a calm approach and trusting race instincts for her strong finish.

Australia fielded eleven athletes across various disciplines during the championship. Sprinter Torrie Lewis was forced to withdraw from the 200 meters due to injury. On the opening day, high jumpers Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson also reached the podium, placing second and third respectively. The overall event succeeded in both showcasing elite-level competition and offering substantial financial incentives to athletes, marking a notable development in track and field season finales.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.