Hamilton runner pursues the podium

All you need to become a good runner is motivation, discipline and a decent pair of shoes.

For 15-year-old Aimee Ferguson, running has been her sport of choice for the past year.

She joined the Hamilton Hawks running club, enlisted the help of a coach, and has shown promise in national competitions.

Her top 12 achievement at the New Zealand Secondary School’s Cross Country Championships in Christchurch has now allowed her to run again across the ditch in Australia.

Aimee said running has required her to develop ‘‘mental toughness’’, but she is no stranger to sport.

The Year 11 Rototuna Senior High School student plays for her school’s 1st XI Football team.

She also played netball but decided to give it a miss when it began to coincide with her running.

‘‘I’ve always liked running, but the older I got, I more I knew it was something I wanted to get into,’’ she said.

As well as resilience, Aimee said runners need to maintain a healthy diet, be motivated, and have the ability to pick themselves up after a bad day.

A race highlight for Aimee was making the podium at the NZ Secondary School’s Athletics Road Race in Auckland.

‘‘I came third in that one,’’ she said. ‘‘I kept finishing forth until then.’’

Aimee one day hopes to run for New Zealand, but until then she wants to keep improving.

‘‘I want to better myself each race and improve in my times, and if I know there’s someone I want to aim to beat, I try and do that.’’

When Aimee isn’t attending training sessions with the Hamilton Hawks, she enjoys running along the river tracks.

When she does have days off, she opts for ‘‘active rest’’ days, meaning she partakes in swimming or biking.

Running is a full-time, yearround sport, she said.

After cross country events in the winter, there are athletic events in the summer.

She is a familiar presence in the Hamilton running scene and will partake in Round the Bridges later this year.

In the meantime, Aimee will fly to Australia on August 10.

In October, she will compete in the NZ Road Relay Championship in Rotorua.

The Hamilton Hawks running club is based on Grantham St.