Lachlan Kennedy Runs 9.85 to Shatter Australian 100m Record at 2026 Commonwealth Games
Australia's Lachlan Kennedy stormed to silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in 9.85 seconds — breaking Patrick Johnson's 23-year-old national record and becoming the fastest Australian in history.
· 4 min read · Athletics News
Australian sprinting history was completely rewritten on 28 July 2026 at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.
In a dramatic, rain-soaked 100m final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, 22-year-old Queenslander **Lachlan Kennedy** crossed the finish line in a blistering **9.85 seconds** to claim silver.
Not only did his performance secure Australia's first Commonwealth Games 100m podium since 2006, but it also obliterated Patrick Johnson's legendary 9.93-second national record that had stood untouched since May 2003.
The race: chasing gold in the Scottish rain
Despite facing tough Scottish weather and a cold, wet track, Kennedy exploded out of the blocks in lane 4, staying stride-for-stride with eventual winner Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon (who took gold in a Games Record 9.83).
Kennedy pushed Eseme all the way to the line, missing out on gold by just two-hundredths of a second. Nigeria's Kanyinsola Ajayi took bronze in 9.90 seconds.
"I knew I was in shape for something special, but doing it in these conditions, on this stage, is unbelievable," Kennedy said after catching his breath. "To see 9.85 on the board... I'm still digesting it."
Progression of the Australian 100m national record
For over two decades, Patrick Johnson's 9.93 (set in Mito, Japan in 2003) was viewed as the high-water mark of Australian sprinting. While athletes like Rohan Browning came tantalisingly close with a 10.01 at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, breaking sub-9.90 seemed like a distant dream.
Kennedy didn't just shave a hundredth off Johnson's time - he knocked off **0.08 seconds** in a single race.
| Athlete | Time | Wind | Date | Location | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Lachlan Kennedy** | **9.85** | +1.3 m/s | 28 July 2026 | Glasgow, UK | | Patrick Johnson | 9.93 | +1.8 m/s | 5 May 2003 | Mito, Japan | | Rohan Browning | 10.01 | +0.8 m/s | 31 July 2021 | Tokyo, Japan | | Matt Shirvington | 10.03 | +0.9 m/s | 17 September 1998 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | | Gerard Laws | 10.10 | +1.4 m/s | 6 March 1999 | Sydney, Australia |
From Brisbane talent to global sprint elite
Hailing from Brisbane, Kennedy has been building momentum across the 2025/2026 domestic season, dropping consistent sub-10.10 times on the Australian track circuit.
Under the guidance of his coaching team, Kennedy refined his drive phase and top-end mechanics, allowing him to maintain top velocity through the final 30 metres - traditionally where many sprinters decelerate early.
His 9.85 clocking elevates him into elite international company, tying him with some of the fastest sprinters in world history and establishing Australia as a legitimate medal threat heading into the upcoming World Championships.
Takeaways for Australian runners and speed athletes
Kennedy's historic performance highlights key lessons for runners looking to maximize sprint mechanics and speed:
1. **Weather is mental:** Running fast in heavy rain requires relaxing into your stride rather than fighting the surface. 2. **Patience out of the drive phase:** Notice how Kennedy didn't pop up early; his drive phase lasted well past 30 metres. 3. **Consistency breeds breakthroughs:** Dropping multiple 10.0s laid the foundation for the 9.85 drop.
If you are looking to test your own sprint turnover or build endurance for your next race, check out our [interactive pace calculator](/tools/pace-calculator) to work out your target split times, or generate a custom [running plan](/run-planner) tailored to your goal distance.
Related sprint news & race guides
- [Emmanuel Eseme wins Commonwealth 100m gold in 9.83](/blog/emmanuel-eseme-commonwealth-2026-100m-gold) - the full race breakdown from Glasgow - [Lamont Marcell Jacobs 9.67](/blog/lamont-marcell-jacobs-9-67-100m) - analyzing wind-assisted speed limits - [Noah Lyles 150m world best](/blog/noah-lyles-150m-world-best) - sprint power over non-traditional distances
**Find races:** Planning your next event in Australia? Explore [running events and road races in Australia](/races/country/australia) to find your next 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon.
Official results — Commonwealth Games 2026 Men's 100m Final (28 July 2026)
| Pos | Athlete | Country | Time | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | 🥇 1st | Emmanuel Eseme | Cameroon | 9.83 | Games Record | | 🥈 2nd | **Lachlan Kennedy** | **Australia** | **9.85** | **National Record** | | 🥉 3rd | Kanyinsola Ajayi | Nigeria | 9.90 | Personal Best |