Six athletes from Armidale Athletics club are fit and firing with hopes of running down overseas competitors.
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Guyra’s Kelsie Youman, Armidale’s Jay Stone, Stuart Geddes, William Vince-Moin and Glen Innes’ Mikielee Snow and Gracie Martin will fly to Fiji next Monday in preparation for the Oceania Area Championships.
The group have an idea of what to expect, with all bar Vince-Moin having raced at the Oceania Melanesian Championships last year.
This year’s event will be bigger with more countries included.
Geddes took on the under 18 events of the 800m, 1500m and 3000m races last year and will take on the 800m and 3000m again but is most excited about the prospect of leaping into in his favoured event, the 2000m steeplechase, this year.
He didn’t have the preparation he wanted last year but aims to make amends next week.
“Last year I was injured before I went over and was not able to train for three months and only trained for two weeks before leaving,” he said.
“This year I have been able to train all the way through from Nationals and have done some great sessions and am feeling great.”
“I have been doing four to six days a week and working on endurance with a good kick to finish the race.
“I am looking forward to is putting myself up against the best in the Pacific and seeing where I stand against the best.”
Stone has already has secured podium finishes at multiple world events this year.
Like Geddes, Stone’s Fiji experience last year was hampered by injury.
He will tackle the 400m and 200m events as well as coaching the rest of the Armidale athletes.
“Last year I was selected to compete in the 400m, 200m and relays, however unfortunately I injured my hamstring in the 400m heats and had to withdraw from the other events,” he said.
“It's been a long season, starting in October last year I have been racing almost non stop, so I am feeling fairly worn down, a few niggles popping up which may affect my performance, but hopefully I can hold things together for one more meet.
“I would love to make a final again, but at 37 years of age I am old enough to be the father of most of my competition, so if I run times I am happy with, I won't be too concerned where they place me in the field.”
Vince-Moin’s will start in the 400m para category.
His entry follows a meteoric rise.
The para-athlete was not even competing one year ago.
He secured fourth place at the Australian Championships in May.