Genevieve Gregson

Middle-distance runner Genevieve Gregson (nee LaCaze), made a late move to the steeplechase, going on to become the finest at the event in Australian history.

While attending the University of Florida on a distance running scholarship, she tried the event in her first two years with modest success.

In her third year, things started to pick up and she made the NCAA finals and in her final year of college, she won a silver medal.

In the ensuing years, Gen broke the national record by four seconds and achieved the two highest places in the event by an Australian at the world championships. 

Raised on the Gold Coast, Gen started Little Athletics around the age of seven and fell in love with cross country running at school in Year 5. After school, the 4:30 minutes 1500m athlete headed to America, completing a degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida from 2009 until 2012.

Shortly after her graduation, the now high-quality steeplechaser made her Australian debut at the London 2012 Olympics where she finished 9th in her heat in the 3000m.

After plateauing for a few years, her second Olympic appearance stamped her as a world-class distance runner.

It all started in May 2016 and over four months she went on a barnstorming series of stunning performances breaking the national steeplechase record and running 14 personal bests.

At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Gen ran three personal bests in her four races, placing ninth in the steeplechase and 12th in the 5000m finals.

After another 12th in the next global meet, the 2017 World Championships, she battled a few injuries before returning for the 2019 World Championships. Gen made a late run to qualify, going on to place 10th in the final.

In the lead-up and at the 2019 World Championships she recorded Tokyo qualifying performances. In late 2019 she extended her running range to the 10,000m, winning the national title. 

After winning the 2021 National title the dual Olympic finalist and Australian record holder was bound for her third Olympic Games in Tokyo in her pet event the 3000m steeplechase.

The 31-year-old showed tremendous form ahead of the Games, racing in Stockholm in July she clocked 9:23, then five days later in Monaco a brilliant 9:17.81 – the second fastest time in her career and a time only one other Australian has ever bettered. 

In her Tokyo Olympic heat, she placed sixth and qualified for the final with a solid 9:26.11. It was her second consecutive Olympic final with Madeline Heiner in 2016 Australia’s only other Olympic finalist in this event.

In the final, on her 32nd birthday it would be no fairy tale for Gen as she ruptured her right Achilles tendon over the final water jump of the race.

“It was just a gunshot. It just snapped so sharp and fast and loudly.” She was helped off the track on a wheelchair.

For nearly two years after the injury she struggled to even talk about it.

“At the time I thought my world had ended. But really, it was an opening door to this way more amazing chapter. I find that, emotionally more sad because I could have maybe not had that, but I'm so grateful I do.”

After intense rehabilitation the next two years have included the birth of son Archer (on 15 June 2022) and transition to the road and the marathon. She had her first races in late October 2022.

Her 2023 was very hectic, setting three half-marathon PBs, winning the National half marathon, 12km and cross-country titles. But it was the new distance of 26-miles, she made an immediate impact, clocking 2:28.33 in her marathon debut on the Gold Coast in July. It was the second fastest time by an Aussie woman on debut.

Then in December 2023 she lined up in the Valencia Marathon in a field that included many of the best Australians. She would be the first Aussie over the line in a time of 2:23.08 – elevating her to number three Australian all-time.