Young guns fire up for Madison mile

TWO of Athletics Bendigo’s young guns, Harrison Boyd and Jayden Padgham are racking up the kilometres as they prepare to race the open sixteen-hundred metres at the upcoming Bendigo International Madison carnival.

Boyd and Padgham will race on the Victorian Athletics League circuit for the first time as the Madison marks its 50th anniversary at Tom Flood Sports Centre on 9 and 10 March,

The 1600-metre duel will be run at 6.25pm on 10 March as a lead-in to the Black Pearl women’s 400 metre and Black Opal men’s 400 metre finals on the iconic D-shaped track.

“It’s my first time racing on the pro circuit. I am looking forward to the challenge and racing before a big crowd,” Boyd said.

“It’s been a goal to race at the Madison since a training camp at Falls Creek in late December and early January.”

Track hit-outs this season for both have been at Victorian Milers meets in Melbourne.

Boyd’s latest mile was at Aberfeldie near Moonee Valley when he ran 4:15.

The pace will be on from the gun in Bendigo.

“There is not really a chance to sit and wait for things to happen,” said Boyd.

Padgham has raced at several national track championships.

Racing in his home city’s biggest athletics/cycling meet is something he has always wanted to do.

Padgham has put in plenty of work training with the Bendigo Bats squad, not just for track, but also cross-country and road classics.

“The mateship in the squad and motivating one another is great.”