Cara Feain-Ryan (born 5 February 1999) is an Australian steeplechase runner. She was the gold medalist over 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2023 World University Games, and her best of 9:29.60 ranks her 6th all-time amongst Australians.

Career

Feain-Ryan began running in regional youth competitions as early as 2013, participating in cross country running and winning the national U18 2000 metres steeplechase title. She first represented Australia at the 2022 Oceania Athletics Championships, where she won a silver medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase. She later qualified for her first global championship at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, where she finished 11th in her heat and did not qualify for the finals.

At the 2021 Summer World University Games (postponed to 2023), Feain-Ryan kicked in the final lap of the 3000 m steeplechase to win her first international gold medal. She won her first senior national title at the 2023 Australian Athletics Championships, qualifying her to represent Australia again at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. At the world championships, she finished 7th in her heat and did not advance to the finals.

Personal life

Feain-Ryan grew up in Alstonville, New South Wales, Australia. Her mother supports her athletic career, as her father died of brain cancer in 2008. In 2015, she moved from Lismore, New South Wales, to Brisbane, where she trains with Genevieve Gregson.

She received a sports scholarship at the University of Queensland, where she studied speech pathology. She struggled with injuries during her early university career. Feain-Ryan is now coached professionally by Ben Norton, and she also coaches youth cross country and middle-distance running at Moreton Bay College. Feain-Ryan struggled with funding her career, telling the Sydney Morning-Herald that the Australian governing bodies did not adequately support her.

Her cousin is Matt Ryan, Olympic medalist in rowing.

Statistics

Personal best progression

3000m Steeplechase progression
#MarkPl.CompetitionVenueDateRef.
110:46.25Queensland Junior ChampionshipsBrisbane, Australia12 Feb 2016
210:35.30Sally Pearson Shield at QSACBrisbane, Australia19 Jan 2018
310:32.20Coles Queensland Athletics ChampionshipsBrisbane, Australia6 Mar 2019
410:28.16Brisbane, Australia21 Feb 2020
510:19.01Queensland Athletics ChampionshipsBrisbane, Australia4 Mar 2020
69:55.79Coles Summer Super SeriesCanberra, Australia24 Feb 2021
79:38.39Australian Athletics ChampionshipsSydney, Australia17 Apr 2021
89:36.35Festival Of AthleticsTownsville, Australia17 Jun 2021
99:29.607th (Heat 2)World Athletics ChampionshipsBudapest, Hungary22 Aug 2023

External links