Boyd’s eyes on track gold

CROWNED a national cross-country champion earlier this year, Harrison Boyd will chase more gold at this weekend’s start to the Victorian All Schools track and field titles.

The September winner of Bendigo’s Sports Star of the Year award, Boyd will compete in the under-18 800 metres and 1500 metres at South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.

The year 11 student at Bendigo Senior Secondary College was in hot form throughout winter.

Sixth in a time of 19 minutes 24 seconds at the Victorian All-Schools titles at Bundoora, Boyd went to Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills for his first nationals cross-country showdown.

The 17-year-old ran the six-kilometre event in 20 minutes, 10 seconds to be fastest Australian, as Bendigo University’s Jayden Padgham clocked 20 minutes, 14 seconds to claim silver.

“Conditions were incredibly difficult,” Boyd said. “My legs from below the knee were caked in mud.

“It was the most treacherous course I have run, but to win the gold meant so much.”

Boyd rated this year’s XCR events at Cruden Farm and Bundoora as the toughest he has run. He spent a season running for the Bendigo Bats in three legs at under-18 level, and another three at open level.

“To be racing and training with the Bats was incredibly rewarding. There is a great camaraderie and team spirit built up in cross-country running,” he said.

The talented teen has spent plenty of time training with the likes of Bats team-mates Andy Buchanan, seventh in the marathon at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, as well as rising stars Jayden Padgham and Logan Tickell.

Boyd first trained with Athletics Bendigo’s cross-country squad when in year 8.

“I started to be a lot more serious about athletics when I joined the Athlete Development Program at Bendigo South East Secondary College in year 7.

“I learnt so much through ADP and have kept on working to improve with Andy Buchanan as my coach,” he said.

Last track season, Boyd won the under-18 3000 metres in just over nine minutes, and was runner-up in the 1500 metres in four minutes, 13 seconds at the Victorian track and field titles at Lakeside. He’s determined to qualify for nationals again.

“It’s a big step up to under-20s for nationals, but a challenge I am ready for,” said the young athlete whose grandfather, Norm Boyd ran with the Harriers.