Madeline started running with Kembla Joggers as a teenager, enjoying the social aspects of running with a group and the opportunity to travel for competition. Her enthusiasm was rewarded with steady progress, developing from a state and then national level athlete, to gaining selection for the 2004 World Junior Track & Field Championships, her first Australian team. She went on to compete in the 2005 & 2006 World Cross Country Championships, finishing in the top 20 in both races. She was forced to withdraw from the 2006 World Junior Championships, leading to an extended break from the sport.

 

During her absence from the track and the trails, she focused on establishing her career as a pharmacist, completed a Masters of International Public Health and traveled the globe.

 

In mid 2013, motivated by the goal to complete her debut 10km fun run, Madeline again pulled on the training shoes. Reacquainted with the thrill of reaching goals, she set her sights back on the track. 3 months after returning to the track in 2014, she qualified for the 3000m steeplechase at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where she placed fourth behind a trio a Kenyans in a PB.

 

By the end of 2015, Madeline had become the second fastest Australian steeplechase in history, third fastest in the 3000m and sixth fastest over the 5000m. 

She won the 2016 Olympic 3000m steeplechase trial, gaining selection as well in the 5000m. In Rio Madeline progressed to the final for both the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m, finishing 7th and 10th respectively and clocking personal bests in both races. 

 

Madeline returned to the track in 2017 over 10,000m, moving to fifth on the Australian all-time list in 31.41. She represented Australia at the 2017 London World Championships in the 5000m and 10,000m, and again at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. With inspiring efforts both on and off the track, she was recognised and lauded internationally for showing the world what sportsmanship is all about, leading a trio of Australian teammates to remain in place to compassionately await the arrival of the last competitor, Lineo Chako from Lesotho. 

​

Madeline continues her work as a pharmacist, familiar with the challenge of balancing work commitments with training demands and the social scene. 

While she works to achieve more of her goals,  Madeline is excited for the opportunity to help others to exceed their own.