Mackay Community Youth Event: A Day on the Track with Craig Burns
On Saturday 4 October, the Mackay Aquatic & Recreation Complex hosted a community youth event. Organised by the Pacific Australia Youth Association Inc. (PAYA) and supported by the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund, the day gave local young people the chance to train, learn and connect with Craig Burns, an Australian runner who grew up just a couple of hours away, in Eungella.
Starting Strong
Things kicked off at 9am with an 800m jog and a long list of warm-up drills with Josiah McCarthy. From hip rotations and lunges to “drinking birds” and “cat cows,” it quickly became clear that athletics is as much about flexibility and technique as it is about raw speed. For some, the balance exercises were a challenge in themselves, but there was a lot of encouragement (and laughter) as everyone found their rhythm.
Learning the Basics of Speed
Once warm, the group moved into classic track drills: high knees, ankling, skips and kangaroo jumps. Our team, led by Josiah McCarthy, guided participants through each one, breaking down why these small movements matter when building speed and form.
Relays and Energy
After a short break, the group returned for plyometrics, bend running and a 4x100m relay. The relay brought out the most excitement and plenty of fun to wrap up the morning training.
Lunch and Stories
The pace slowed at lunchtime, when everyone sat down for a Q&A with Craig. He spoke candidly about growing up in regional North Queensland, moving to Brisbane and how he managed setbacks and breakthroughs along the way.
He recalled:
Running 11.11 for the 100m in 2010, then cutting it to 10.67 just two years later.
Dropping his 400m time by more than a second within a season.
Wearing the green and gold at three World Relay Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The feeling of crossing the line to win the 400m National Championships in 2015.
More than the results, though, Craig talked about the discipline it takes to juggle training with studies, the resilience needed after setbacks and the excitement of representing Australia overseas. His advice to Mackay’s young athletes was simple but powerful: hard work, patience and belief in yourself will take you far.
Inspiration for Mackay Youth
The event was about showing young people that opportunities can grow from small beginnings, even from regional towns like Mackay. Having Craig on the track, not just as a coach but as someone who’s walked the same path, made the day resonate in a real way.
For everyone who took part, it was a mix of hard training, good conversations and plenty of inspiration to take home.
