It’s been a season of contrasts for Australian middle distance runner Jack Anstey – from a World Cross gold medal, to the disappointment of missing a major championship team.

Dialling in from Flagstaff, Jack shares his unforgettable experience at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, including the pressure of a late call-up, and what it was like racing with Olli Hoare, Linden Hall and Jess Hull in that winning 4 x 2k relay team.

Jack also speaks candidly about missing selection for the World Indoor Championships, despite meeting the World Athletics qualifying standards and being within the quota. He articulates the impact of Australia’s selection policies on athletes, and why he chose to speak out publicly.

We also chat about growing up in Alice Springs, Jack’s late start (and rapid rise!) in the sport, and his set up in Flagstaff training with Under Armour’s pro team, Dark Sky Distance.

Plus: World Cross medal show-and-tell, overpriced coffees, bike training, book recommendations, and what’s next for Jack.

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Jack Anstey is an Australian middle-distance runner based in Flagstaff, Arizona where he runs with the Under Armour pro team, Dark Sky Distance. He recently won a World Athletics Cross Championships gold medal in the 4 x 2k relay in Tallahassee, Florida, as part of a star-studded team comprising Olli Hoare, Linden Hall and Jess Hull. Jack holds the 1000m short track national record (2:16.95) which he ran in Boston 2024. He also represented Australia at the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade and again in the road mile in Riga in 2023 where he came 10th (3:58.30). Jack went to college at Illinois State University, and is now completing a teaching degree in Australia.

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer