Sizzling start to the last meet of the year

The ACT Combined Event Championships offered FAST Running with a chance for some of its up and coming stars to begin their competition season. The pre-Christmas meet at Woden Park gave Siena, Grace, Vishaal, Mathias, Nate and Daniel a chance to shake off early season form before the ACT Championships early next year.

The 100m was an instant success for Siena who broke her long standing personal best (pb) to run 12.72s. A great effort from the 16 year old Woden Athletics sprinter for her first official competition of the year. Not being outdone was Mathias who also secured a new pb in the 100m and broke the 12 second barrier for the first time in running 11.96s.

Daniel and Nate both ran well in the 100m too, running their third and second fastest times of the year in 11.80s and 12.65s respectively. Unfortunately for Nate, a tap start plus a swing and a miss, got him off to a less than ideal start in his chase for the U20 National Para Record (T01). He has one more chance at the Campbelltown Meet next week. For Daniel, it was good to get another run in since returning from All Schools on Monday, where he made the final in the 200m and a new pb.

Grace and Vish began their season campaign in the 400m in gusty conditions. This was Grace’s first competitive run since breaking a bone and three ligaments in her leg. An amazing comeback now kickstarted with a time just 2s off her pb in the event. Running just his second 400m, Vish eclipsed his previous best set in March 2022 by 1.5s. The former Cross Country runner is already showing great sprint form as her looks towards Championships in February 2024.

With their training already paying dividends for these Canberra Sprinters, their goals for 2024 are now in sight.