By CHARLENE GATT
KEILOR Little Athletics Centre is urging young athletes to get some extra fitness under their belts over the winter as the club gears up for the 2007 cross-country season.
The season kicks off on 28 April at Moonee Valley Athletics track where Keilor will compete against Northern Metropolitan Division One teams Essendon, Sunbury, Coburg, Craigieburn, Fawkner and Hume in a bid to reclaim the Regional Centre Championship Trophy.
The club took out the trophy in 2003, 04 and 05 in an astounding threepeat, and fell short by an agonising nine points in 2006 to be runners-up.
While the side is reasonably poised to reign this season, president John Rayner said its success did not depend on a win.
“We’re confident we can win it back if we have the numbers but that’s only one aspect of what we’re on about,” Rayner said.
“The emphasis is just as much on achieving PBs.
“It’s amazing to see the difference in the results from the start to the end of the season as the kids get fitter, more used to the tracks and runs.”
Athletes get a chance to experience different cross-country courses as they travel between Essendon’s Moonee Valley Athletics Track, Sunbury’s Jackson St Reserve, Keilor Park’s Keilor Park Athletics track, and Lalor’s W.A Smith Reserve over the 15-week schedule. Ambitious runners can also try their hand at the regional and state championships in July.
With local football leagues under threat from Stage 3a water restrictions and cricket hibernating until next summer, long-distance running could be the answer to keeping those fitness levels up during the long cold months.
“It helps with general fitness and it is good training for summer season, regardless of whether you do track and field, cricket or football,” Rayner said.
“Give it a go – don’t be put off by the distance.”
For more information call John Rayner on 0414 325 619.
