Melissa Duncan (born 30 January 1990) is an Australian middle-distance runner who competes primarily in the 1500 metres and 5000 metres.[1]

Melissa Jane Duncan
Personal information
NicknameLissy
Born (1990-01-30) 30 January 1990 (age 34)
Melbourne, Australia
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight55 kg (121 lb)
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event1500 metres & 5000 metres
Coached byPhilo Saunders & Nic Bideau
Duncan in Japan in 2019

At an International level she competed at the 2015 and 2019 World Championships in Athletics, the 2016 World Indoor Championships, 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2024 World Athletics Cross Country Championships and was the Gold Medallist at the 2019 Oceania Athletics Championships in the 5000m.[2]

She was selected for the 2016 Olympic Games however had to withdraw due to injury.[3]

After returning from injury, Duncan joined Nic Bideau's Melbourne Track Club and on his recommendation Duncan moved to Japan in 2019 to join the corporate Shiseido Running Club where she competed two seasons.[4] Duncan in February 2024 said that her experience in Japan impacted her running career for the next three years and seriously affected her health.[5]

Competition record

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing   Australia
2007 World Youth Championships Ostrava, Czech Republic 4th 1500 m 4:20.24
2014 IAAF World Relays Nassau, Bahamas 4th 4 × 800 m relay 8:13.26
3rd 4 × 1500 m relay 17:08.65
Commonwealth Games Glasgow, United Kingdom 10th 1500 m 4:14.10
2015 IAAF World Relays Nassau, Bahamas 4th Distance medley relay 10:46.94
World Championships Beijing, China 20th (h) 1500 m 4:09.29
2016 World Indoor Championships Portland, United States 6th 1500 m 4:09.69
2019 Oceania Championships Townsville, Australia 1st 5000 m 15:41.44 CR
2019 World Championships Doha, Qatar 20th (h) 5000 m 15:37.37
2024 World Cross Country Championship Belgrade, Serbia 53rd Senior Women 35:40

Personal bests

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Outdoor

  • 800 metres – 2:08.38 (Glendale. AUS - 31 January 2015)
  • 1500 metres – 4:05.56 (Oslo. NOR - 11 June 2015)
  • One Mile – 4:26.90 (Dublin. IRE - 11 July 2014)
  • 3000 metres – 8:55.61 (Box Hill. AUS - 29 April 2021)
  • 5000 metres – 15:18.43 (Nijmegen. NED - 8 June 2018)
  • 10000 metres – 34:24.45 (Melbourne. AUS - 2 December 2023)
  • Half Marathon – 1:13:03 (Melbourne. AUS - 8 September 2024)

Indoor

References

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  1. ^ "Melissa Duncan". IAAF. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Oceania Championships Day 1 Review". Athletics Australia. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Melissa Duncan - Back on Track". Runners Tribe. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Australian Melissa Duncan on Her Time in the Corporate Leagues". Japan Running News. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  5. ^ "The syndrome preventing many female athletes performing at their best". The Age. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
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