Lifestyle
Jack Rayner: YOUNG 'PRE'
How Jack Rayner is taking his style to the world
Jack Rayner might not be a household name in athletics yet, but if his 2018 follows a similar path to 2017, it won’t be long until everyone knows his name.
The 21 year old from Melbourne Track Club made a name for himself in May at the Payton Jordan Invitational 5000m. Racing the B race, Rayner claimed the biggest win of his career so far, taking the scalp of Rio 1500m gold medallist Matt Centrowitz in a PB of 13:47:41.
Rayner was interviewed by Flotrack after the race, giving the running world a chance to see the young Australian up close for the first time. Aside from his all black Nike kit, the blonde moustache and baby face drew comparisons to Steve Prefontaine.
“After the Flotrack piece a few people started to talk about the resemblance to Prefontaine. I hadn’t heard that before, and I don’t know about it, but it’s cool if people are saying that”.
“I just like growing a moustache, I don’t know why. It’s unusual for someone my age but I like doing something a bit different”.
Rayner has adopted the all black race kit throughout 2017, a step initially taken out of necessity but now definitely part of the look.
“I actually didn't get given a race kit at the start of the year, so I decided to do it a bit different and wear black until I got recognised”.
Based on the performance at the Payton Jordan, it’s hard to imagine Rayner getting to wear the black kit again in 2018.
“Well if I get a race kit in 2018 I’ll definitely wear it, otherwise I’ll stick to the black”.
When we caught up with Jack at Falls Creek, we sought some advice on style guidelines around summer running in Australia.
“Most of our guys either wear a t-shirt or no shirt. We only wear singlets in racing”.
When pressed on whether he could provide any advice for amateur runners like us, the message was clear. “If you’ve got a good enough rig, go tops off!”.
It was no surprise to see Jack rocking the latest Nike Air VaporMax in the gym and before his runs at Falls Creek. A luxury item when you’re packing a bag for a block of altitude training, but sometimes it’s worth it.
“I love the VaporMax. I got the Pure Platinum colour as soon as they came out, but I like the black better!”
As for his favourite shoe of all time?
“That’s easy. The Nike Air Zoom Moire from 2006. That was sick”.
