NSW 3000m Championships: title #3 for Phillips, Australian record for Rowbotham & redemption for Hancock-Cameron

2 November 2025

NSW 3000m Championships: title #3 for Phillips, Australian record for Rowbotham & redemption for Hancock-Cameron

The 2025 edition of the NSW 3000m championships, held at ES Marks Field, wrote a number of headlines into the history books of these championships. A first ever three peat in men’s race by Josh Phillips; redemption by Jaylah Hancock-Cameron who was disqualified last year after winning; and 15-year-old Evan Rowbotham destroyed the Australian under-16 3000m record by nine seconds.

MEN’S 3000M – Josh Phillips three peat

Chasing an historic first ever men’s three peat, Josh Phillips didn’t have the best preparation.

“I had no idea what to expect tonight,” Phillips said. “Going into the race I wasn't as confident as I was the last few years.

“I haven't posted about it, but I've had an injury for months. It's been six months since my last race, and tonight was to kick the body into gear.”

From the gun, the pace was not quick with Bankstown duo Adam Pyke and Archie Ridgway leading the pack. With two laps remaining the field had strung out with Ridgway, leading Phillips, but on the penultimate lap Phillips made his move. Approaching the bell he was looking strong and full of running holding a few seconds lead. He ran on to take his third consecutive NSW 3000m title in 8:03.08, two seconds ahead of Isaac Shaw (8:05.32) and Oliver Ham (8:07.95).

“I surprised myself,” Phillips reflected. He had expected it a little faster up front early, but it played into his hands, being conservative early due to his patchy preparation.

“Usually, I'd want to be sort of front-running these races. I surprised myself feeling pretty comfortable. It showed my strength.”

What next for Phillips?

“I had to start racing ahead of Zatopek and the world cross trials.”

MEN’S 3000M –Australian record for Evan Rowbotham

In 10th place we witnessed, by a long way, the fastest under-16 3000m in Australian history, when Evan Rowbotham smashed his PB by 21 seconds and the Australian record by nine seconds clocking 8:16.69. He broke the National record (8:25.31) set in this race in 2014 by ACT’s Josh Torley and also destroyed the NSW record of 8:35.57 held by Loran Redmond, who went on to become a leading Australian triathlete.

“I wanted it quicker, but I'm still pretty happy with it,” Rowbotham said. “It is a national record.”

He was comfortable early with the easier pace.

“I was wondering (about the pace), as I felt so good.”

However late in the race he was feeling it.

“I had no kick at the end.”

The record was certainly on the card as he had just missed the National 800m record at the NSW All Schools in September. It was also his last chance at the 3000m record, before December 31, as he is not competing at the Australian All Schools and is too young to compete in the de Castella U20 3000m at Zatopek. He will however chase the 800m and 1500m records in the next two months.

WOMEN’S 3000M – redemption for Jaylah Hancock-Cameron

The women’s 3000m was a masterclass from South Coast’s Jaylah Hancock-Cameron, running solo for six of the laps. Last year, she had won in a terrific time of 9:06.76 in a close battle with Georgia Winkcup, but was disqualified post-race for pacing on the inside of the track. This year, the expected competition from National cross country champion, Bronte Oates, never eventuated, with Ruby Madden the only athlete to go with Handcock-Cameron early, albeit it only for the first 600m.

Hancock-Cameron knocked out five laps of 73 seconds. Going into the penultimate laps she has an enormous 10 second lead. On lap six she slowed a little running a 76.3 lap, but steamed home from the bell, clocking 69.5 for the last lap to win in 9:09.97, from ACT’s Zoe Melhuish (9:15.29) who clocked an astonishing 65.8 for the last lap, and Victorian Stephanie Kelly (9:18.11).

“It was definitely a lot harder out on your own (this year),” Hancock-Cameron said. “I haven't had to do that, especially for that distance, pretty much ever. I think the furthest I've done on my own is a 2km race, which is literally like two weeks ago.

“I just tried to get into a bit of a rhythm and just keep going. I'm pretty happy with it; it was good on my own.”

It was a positive step ahead of her next race.

“It's a good hit out before Zatopek.”

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image Jaylah Hancock-Cameron (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)

RESULTS

WOMEN 3000m

1 Jaylah Hancock-Cameron BAN 9:09.97

2 Zoe Melhuish ACT 9:15.29

3 Stephanie Kelly VIC 9:18.11

4 Scarlette Robb NZL 9:18.84

5 Anyslee Van Graan RCR 9:19.02 (2nd NSW)

6 Ruby Madden RCR 9:22.15 (3rd NSW)

7 Bronte Oates UTN 9:23.39

8 Annabelle Vella RHR 9:22.1515y

9 Eliza Lawton MW 9:36.2615y

10 Rose Finnegan RCR 9:37.27

MEN 3000m

1 Josh Phillips DRP 8:03.08

2 Isaac Shaw BAN 8:05.32

3 Oliver Ham GOS 8:07.95

4 Joseph Ryan NFR 8:08.96

5 Ben Bishop SYU 8:11.11

6 Harry Halleen RCR 8:12.7618y

7 Stefan Music RBH 8:13.09

8 Archie Ridgway BAN 8:13.75

9 Matthew McLachlan TRI 8:15.7117y

10 Evan Rowbotham RBH 8:16.69 (AUS & NSW U16 record) aged 15y