FROM his first primary school cross country race, to the start line at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Archie Hewett’s path to representing Australia has demanded everything he has.
The Mornington resident will compete in the 1500m on 27 July – under the T20 classification for athletes with an intellectual disability – in what will be his debut at a major international Games.
His mum, Sarah Hewett, traces it all back to a cross country race when he was in Grade Five. The quiet and unassuming Archie represented Benton’s Junior College, finished in the top ten and progressed to regionals.
“By Grade Six he was coming first in every round and made his first state team,” Sarah said.
“He went to Queensland for nationals and it was like, oh, he can actually run!”
He joined Mornington Little Athletics Club and became a dominant force across both track and cross country, representing Victoria at state level every year from Years Seven to Ten – virtually unbeatable as a junior.
Much of that development is credited to coach Dane Verway, who has worked with Archie for four years. A former Paralympics physio, Verway identified the T20 pathway in late 2024 and, following an assessment by Athletics Australia, Archie was confirmed eligible. Training six days a week under Verway’s guidance – complemented by weights and physio sessions – Archie has steadily evolved from a gifted junior into a national-level competitor.
At the 2025 Virtus Games in Brisbane, Archie won gold in the steeplechase in his first outing under the classification.
“Something opened up for Archie,” Sarah told The News.
“He found his people. He became very comfortable with who he is and what he could do.”
Australian Athletics took notice. He was soon named as one of just three Australians invited to an international classification race in Dubai, then raced a punishing schedule, including Melbourne’s prestigious Maurie Plant Meet, to earn the qualifying time he needed for the Commonwealth Games.
Archie enters the Games as both the youngest and least experienced athlete in the field, with a personal best of 4:05 and a singular ambition: to break four minutes.
“He’s definitely the underdog,” Sarah said.
“But we know he hasn’t reached his full potential.”
After Glasgow, Archie will join the Victorian Institute of Sport on their invitation, with the LA Paralympics in 2028 firmly in his sights.
He arrives in Glasgow with the backing of a large and devoted family – he’s one of six children and the fourth-born to single mum Sarah.
“Every psychologist we’ve met has said they don’t know how we’ve got him where he is, but the support he must have is incredible,” said Sarah.
“Running is Archie’s happy place, and he has great opportunities coming his way.”
Archie departs for a training camp in Barcelona on 23 July before heading to Glasgow, where his 1500m race on 27 July will be televised live on the Seven Network.
Follow Archie’s journey on Instagram @watch_archie_run
First published in the Mornington News – 14 July 2026
