Toby Gillen Signs Professional Contract With On Athletics
The Australian distance runner joins the professional circuit following a standout collegiate career.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Track & Field
Toby Gillen signed a professional contract with On Athletics Club following his graduation in December 2025. The move follows a decorated collegiate career competing for both the Saint Louis Billikens and Ole Miss.
Why it matters
The signing marks a significant transition for the Australian athlete as he shifts his focus toward elite international competition after years of university-level success.
Gillen completed his 5-kilometer event at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in 13:35, finishing 25th overall. He previously placed 96th with a 29:34.0 time in the 10-kilometer race at the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
The players
Toby Gillen
He is an Australian distance runner who competed for the Saint Louis Billikens and Ole Miss at the collegiate level.
On Athletics Club
This is a professional running organisation that sponsors elite athletes and provides training support.
Stephen Haas
He serves as the professional agent for Toby Gillen.
The details
Gillen previously won the SEC outdoor track five-kilometre title and helped his university teams qualify for NCAA Championships in 2024 and 2025. He now trains with the On Athletics Club based in Australia and various international altitude training sites.
Timeline
2024: Gillen helped the men's team qualify for NCAA Championships.
2025: Gillen helped the men's team qualify for NCAA Championships.
19 September: Gillen competed in the World Athletics Road Running Championships.
December 2025: Toby Gillen graduated from university.
September 2027: World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
Season Trajectory
Gillen's move to the professional circuit concludes his university tenure, which was defined by his participation in the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships. This transition shifts his competitive focus toward the global stage ahead of the 2027 World Athletics Championships.
The transition to the On Athletics Club suggests a shift in Gillen's training regimen toward international altitude locations. Fans should monitor his performance in upcoming national cross country events as he adjusts to a professional race schedule.
The takeaway
Professional contracts often signal a move toward specialized training and a refined focus on major championship qualification. Aspiring runners can look to Gillen's trajectory as an example of balancing collegiate team commitments with long-term professional development.
What happens next
Toby Gillen is currently scheduled to compete in the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships and the World Athletics Championships in Beijing in September 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in the sport at Track & Field.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Mississippian.
