11-Year-Old Rylan Wooster Breaks Two National Run Records

Just days before turning 11, Rylan Wooster stepped onto the track in Brisbane and rewrote the record books three times over.

The Sunshine Coast runner broke two Australian records and one Queensland record at the Little Athletics State Championships, competing against more than 2,000 young athletes from 76 clubs. His 1500-meter time of 4 minutes 35.76 seconds demolished the previous national record by 10 full seconds.

Rylan followed that performance with a 2:15.29 in the 800 meters, shaving 1.23 seconds off the Australian record. Then he won the 400 meters in 1:00.05, breaking the Queensland record by nearly two seconds and completing a rare sweep across three middle-distance events.

The year 6 student didn't expect such explosive results. "For the 1500m I definitely didn't," he said after the race, adding simply that he was "pretty happy" with how things turned out.

Despite his record-breaking talent, running isn't even Rylan's only sporting dream. "My big dream is to play AFL," he revealed, showing the kind of perspective that coaches and parents dream about in young athletes.

Coach Tony Doherty, a longtime Sunshine Coast trainer, said Rylan's focus sets him apart from other young runners. "He's a sensational runner, very focused and he listens very well," Doherty explained, noting that Rylan trains alongside athletes five years older and matches their pace.

What impressed club head coach Nick Bennett most wasn't just the speed. "Rylan crossed the line with a smile on his face, and he was the first to congratulate the other runners," Bennett said.

Why This Inspires

Rylan's father Benjamin says his son's secret is simple determination. "If he wants something, he goes out and grabs it," he explained, crediting the young runner's willingness to keep pushing until he reaches his goals.

That mindset is already delivering results, but Rylan remains grounded. His advice to other young athletes reflects wisdom beyond his years: "Just keep on going at it and putting in the work. You'll get it back one day."

Little Athletics Queensland CEO Christopher Davis says Rylan's achievements reflect a broader trend. "There's been a real running boom globally," he noted, adding that kids are simply loving the sport and getting faster as participation grows.

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games on the horizon, interest in athletics is expected to climb even higher across Queensland. For now, Rylan heads to Friday night training at the University of the Sunshine Coast, balancing homework, AFL dreams, and the kind of running talent that comes along once in a generation.