Young runners take on steep task
ATHLETES from Cairnsbased running group Pace Project tackled the testing inclines of Sunshine Coast’s hinterland for the 2018 Australian CrossCountry Championships on Saturday.
Pace Project coach and 1990 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jill Boltz said the course was “honestly one of the hardest she had ever seen”.
“There was hill upon upon hill,” she said.
Fourteen-year-old St Augustine’s student Joel Stevens competed in the 15 Years Boys 4km on Saturday and also offered a similar course assessment. hill
“Hills and then hills and then more hills,” he said.
Having raced on the course before, Stevens said he was “well prepared” this time around, and went in with a clear plan of attack.
“I wanted to get a decent start and work my way through the field,” he said.
“The last hill is a really tough one, but I knew I had done the work and that I could overtake other kids there. I dug really deep knowing that the finish line would soon be there. I am fairly happy to be 16th in the country.”
Stevens was excited to be at his physical best for the event, after suffering from growing pains in the past.
“I also knew I was strong mentally, as I had put the work in, but it’s still quite daunting knowing you are racing in the Australian Cross-Country Championships,” he said.
A total of 11 Pace Project runners made the trip down to Maleny – the highest number of representatives in the group’s history.
“It’s very exciting,” Boltz said.
“When I started Pace Project five years ago this was just a dream, and for us to have 11 kids run shows to me we are on the right path – that this will only have a positive effect on the group.”
Beaming to new level
GYMNASTICS: Barron Valley Gymnastics Club was a force to be reckoned with at last weekend’s Far North Queensland Junior Regional Gymnastics Championships. Six gymnasts from the club were named as overall champions in their respective divisions.