EASTERN Creek has produced a wide array of memorable races throughout the years and three young Cootamundra long distance runners are hoping they can produce some magic on the hallowed turf in the state level cross country competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Anna Altenburg, Ben Camilleri and Lachlan Webb will each race today in their respective age categories after making it through the local and regional meets.
All three have previous experience at state level and are looking forward to once again running against the best long distance specialists in NSW.
The youngest of the trio is Webb who will be competing in 11 years category.
It is the second time the EA Southee student has made the trip to Eastern Creek having competed in last years race where he finished 57th.
He said the state course provides a different sort of challenge to the one he runs in Cootamundra.
“The terrain is definitely a lot flatter which I am not really used to,” he said.
“I think cross country works better when there are a few hills like in the area where our school hold its cross country.”
Racing a division above Webb in the 12 years is Anna Alternburg who like her EA Southee counterpart, took part in the 2013 event.
A student of Sacred Heart Central School, she has competed in alternate lead up events to the other two Cootamundra representatines.
While Webb and Camilleri went to races in Junee and Deniliquin as part of the qualifying process for todays event, Anna raced in Canberra and then at the Eastern Creek track in the preceding two rounds.
She said that her preparation has also included numerous training runs at her family’s property.
“We live on a farm so I have been running around there a fair bit,” she said.
“I like long distance running because it is a great way to keep fit and also something that I am good at.”
Joining Lachlan and Anna at the Eastern Creek track today is Cootamundra High School student Ben Camillleri who will take part in the 16s category.
Ben has already managed to showcase his talent in the Cootamundra triathlon held earlier this year where he finished third in the secondary category.
Running 6km in today’s event, he is the most experienced campaigner of the trio having competed in the state carnival “more times than I can remember.”
