Summer’s here and it’s competition time for members of Masters’ Athletics, who have an exciting few months ahead.
Most of our members have a relatively quiet winter but 2012 has arrived full of promise for those who love the sport and the challenge of competition on the track.
First up is Doncaster’s feature event, The Landy Trophy, on February 20, followed by the Victorian Championships at Doncaster on March 24 and 25, then the Australian Championships at Melbourne’s new Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park from April 5 to 9.
Obviously what all this means is . . . that not only should athletes be starting to do some specific target training but should also be attending to entries.
Entries for The Landy are first to close, on February 8, and, with quite a few of the usual ‘hotshots’ likely to be missing at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand, this could be the year in which many athletes will have their best chance.
Nevertheless, The Landy is not so much about winning as it is about participation and challenging yourself to complete two rounds of heats (200m and 1000m) and, hopefully, a 400m final, all from age-graded marks, in the one night.
Every year we hear people saying they haven’t entered because they can’t win, but you can bet those same people will go to venues every week and enter events they know they can’t win. There’s no difference except that Landy night provides more atmosphere and more of a challenge, which certainly will help in the preparation of those intending to contest either the State or National Championships.
Entries for the Nationals close on March 2 and for the Victorian Championships on March 8.
There is no restriction on field sizes for the Vics or the Nationals but there is for The Landy, so get in now..!! If nothing else, it will provide an excellent warm-up for the others.