BENDIGO athlete Bec Wilkinson will mark a career-high when she races at the Australian Athletics cross-country championships at Ballarat Victoria’s Park.<\/p>\n
Ninth place in the Victorian titles run on the same course earnt Bec a place in the Big V line-up.<\/p>\n
Athletics Bendigo Region has a squad of 14 bound for Ballarat to compete at various distances and age groups.<\/p>\n
Wilkinson will be be racing in the women’s open 10km.<\/p>\n
A goal will be to lower her state title time of 37.21.<\/p>\n
“I did not expect a top 10 finish at states,” Wilkinson said.<\/p>\n
“I have started to take running more serious in the past year or so and it’s great to see the hard working paying off.”<\/p>\n
The Victoria Park course is one Wilkinson knows well as she had a three-year stint living in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
“It will be nice racing somewhere familiar,” Wilkinson said of the title showdown which will start at 1.15pm.<\/p>\n
Wilkinson’s background is in trail running.<\/p>\n
“Hilly, technical course are more my strength which is not the case with Victoria Park.<\/p>\n
“It’s set up really well for spectators which will make an exciting atmosphere.”<\/p>\n
In the past two months Wilkinson has increased weekly workload to between 110 and 120 kilometres for my first marathon later in the year.”<\/p>\n
Wilkinson is coached by Bendigo’s gun marathon runner and 2024 Paris Olympian Andy Buchanan who is also a dual national XC champion.<\/p>\n
“Andy is a great mentor.”<\/p>\n
Wilkinson’s strength and conditioning is done with the team at PB Performance and Health.<\/p>\n
It’s also be an outstanding season for Wilkinson and her Bendigo team-mates in premier division of Athletics Victoria cross-country series.<\/p>\n
Bendigo is sixth in the women’s premier title race at two rounds to go.<\/p>\n
“It’s a huge result in our first year in the top division in about 15 years.<\/p>\n
“I am so proud of all the team who have helped contribute this season.”<\/p>\n
Wilkinson also spoke about the team aspect of cross-country running.<\/p>\n
“Running can sometimes be such an individual sport, but cross-country adds a team element which is one of the reasons I love it.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO athlete Bec Wilkinson will mark a career-high when she races at the Australian Athletics cross-country championships at Ballarat Victoria’s Park. Ninth place in the Victorian titles run on the same course earnt Bec a place in the Big V line-up. Athletics Bendigo Region has a squad of 14 bound for Ballarat to compete at […]<\/p>\n