18-year-old Josh Unthank has put himself firmly on the national radar after running 3:46.01 for 1500m, taking 5.5 seconds off his personal best and achieving the World Junior qualifying standard. The run adds to a strong year, including his Geelong Centre 3000m record in October, and reflects the steady, long-term development that has defined his journey.
From a young age, Josh balanced multiple sports, competing in cricket, AFL, and running. He initially ran just once a week, and at nine years old, he represented Victoria at the Pacific School Games, showing early promise. Outside of school competitions, he didn’t begin competing until age 12 (Year 7), taking time to grow into the sport gradually.
Josh’s progression has been carefully paced, allowing him to consistently rank among the top few runners in Victoria for his age in the 800m and 1500m, even if he never finished higher than second at a State Championship. His recent breakthrough may come as a surprise to some, given his relatively low profile, but it is the result of long-term planning and gradual progression. After completing Year 12 in 2024, he chose to defer university and step away from AFL to focus fully on his running in 2025— a decision that is already paying off.
This year’s breakthrough reflects Josh’s patient approach: in his first cross-country season, he has built endurance through road races while also introducing and prioritising 3000m races into his early-season track schedule, including qualifying for and racing in the De Castella 3000m at Zatopek. He continues to develop speed from years of 800m and 1500m racing and is gaining confidence and tactical awareness in competitive fields. While he has already achieved the World Junior qualifying time, selection for the Australian team is far from automatic, with multiple talented athletes likely to be in contention.
The Australian National Championships will give Josh the chance to prove himself against other contenders in a race that will be key for selection to the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, August 2026.
Josh’s story is one of patience, balance, and steady growth, showing what can be achieved with time, focus and dedication.