Runner set face best in the world

TOOWOOMBA and the Darling Downs has always been able to produce top-tier sporting talent. Many state, national and international stars first tested their sporting talents in the region before going on to achieve great things.

Earlier this month, The Chronicle shone a light on ten Toowoomba athletes you might not have heard about.

Head to the thechronicle.com.au/sport for the full list.

Julia Gannon (orienteering) Newcastle is home while Gannon completes her university studies, but when she competes she proudly flies her hometown flag as a member of the Range Runners Orienteering Club. Gannon first tried her hand at orienteering about 10 years ago – following in the footsteps of her older sister who participated in the sport at school.

“My sister was talking about it (orienteering) after she tried it at school and I thought I’d give it a go and I really enjoyed it,” Gannon said.

“Now I love it. There’s obviously a big running element to orienteering but I can’t really enjoy just a run now – it’s not stimulating enough.

“I love the planning involved in orienteering before you set off, I love looking at the toppo map and trying to imagine how the course will look.”

Gannon’s recent performances have been rewarded with the young athlete named in the Australian team that will compete in the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) in Portugal in July.

Athletes will compete in sprint, middle and long distance individual races as well as a team relay race.

As well as competing in Portugal, Gannon will represent Australia in Estonia at a World Cup event and Switzerland at the University Games.