Hayward’s march
KATIE Hayward’s season could hit overdrive today as the talented Gold Coast race walker tackles the Queensland Track Classic.
After a big few weeks which included a record 20km blitz at the nationals, the 19-year-old has just returned from competing in the Asian Championships.
Hayward finished just three seconds off the podium, with the three Chinese competitors in front of her all posting personal best times.
“Katie raced the plan perfectly,” coach Steve Langley said. “Our goal was to consolidate her result in Adelaide (at the nationals) – she finished at 1:29.31, just six seconds off her Adelaide time.
“We are very happy with Katie’s performance giving her a confidence boost that Adelaide was not a one-off.”
The time was also Hayward’s second Olympic qualifier in two races.
She returned home for a 3000m sprint walk at the Brisbane Classic last weekend and will today tackle the state Track Classic.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Little Athletics Championships started in Townsville yesterday.
South Coast has 555 individual entries by 209 athletes from nine different centres ranging from Tweed in the south to Ormeau in the north and out to Beaudesert.
In total there will be 284 events across all age groups from under 9 to under 17.
Helensvale’s Bailey Teasel yesterday won the under-11 boys’ 1100m walk with a oneminute personal best time.