Argentina a step up as Hall hits her peak
AUDREY Hall has reached great heights in Wales and now Queensland’s premier mountain runner has set her sights on scaling Argentina.
After qualifying to represent Australia at the World Mountain Running Championships in Villa la Angostura and securing a gold for Queensland and bronze at the national championships west of Brisbane a fortnight ago, the Townsville runner is gearing up for the challenge of her life.
Finishing top 30 at the World Championships in Wales in 2015, Hall, 22, wants to go even better in the Patagonia region of Argentina next month, in what promises to be the most gruelling race of her young career.
“After finishing top 30 in 2015 and winning the National Championship, I’m hoping to go further (in Argentina) and go top 20,” Hall said.
“But Wales was nine kilometres and in Argentina it will be a step up to 14 kilometres (aligned with men’s distance), so it’s going to change up results and it will be interesting.”
Originally from Sydney, Hall started her sporting exploits in gymnastics as a child before switching to cross country and triathlon in 2010.
Moving to Cairns to study a degree in psychology and law at James Cook University, Hall found her way to Townsville for a race and has not looked back.
“I came here for a track meet and fell in love and didn’t want to leave,” she said. “I love it here”.
Hall won the Townsville Running Festival 10km race and also secured five gold medals at the Athletics North Queensland Championships on the weekend.
While she “loves the heat” and the training opportunities Townsville offers, Hall’s biggest challenge to overcome in Argentina will be the one thing she cannot be prepared or ready for – altitude.
“It’s going to be tough, fast and technical and there’ll be amazing competitors from Kenya, Uganda, Germany, USA, Canada (and Europe).”
“But altitude will be the hardest factor to train for. It’s going to be 14ks, including 800m going up and down, so that’s going to be hard.
“I’m hoping to get there a week before to acclimatise, but my goal is definitely (to finish) top 20.”
Hall receives minimal funding from Mountain Running Australia and while food and accommodation is covered, she is yet to fund well getting to Argentina and back.
Setting up a Go Fund Me, Hall has raised $210, but hopes to raise a $1000.
“Any donation, no matter how small helps and is greatly appreciated,” she said.