BALLARAT Harriers racewalker Kelly Ruddick hopes age is no barrier in her pursuit of the 2016 Olympic Games.
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The 40-year-old mother, who powered to victory in the open women’s 5000m walk at day one of the Victorian Country Track and Field Championships at Llanberris yesterday, said a trip to Rio de Janeiro was on her radar.
“I’ve got a new coach (Brent Vallance) now and I’m training a lot more seriously than I ever have so I know if I keep it up I’ll be getting faster each time and aiming more towards the 20km rather than these track meets,” Ruddick said.
“Rio is in the mix and I’m certainly aiming for that.
“I’ve actually done an Olympic A qualifier earlier this year, but sadly I’m ranked number one in the Commonwealth and this is the first time ever it’s not in the Commonwealth Games, so for me it’s a bit of a bummer.”
Ruddick will compete in the Australian 20km Racewalking Championships on February 2 before heading to race in Mexico later that month.
While there is big things on the horizon, Ruddick was thrilled with her win in yesterday’s event on home soil.
She fronted up despite a sleepless night with work and an illness in the family to cruise to victory in a time of 22.22min. She quickly headed back to work after receiving her gold medal.
“It’s great to win at the country titles, it’s great to win any major race, but especially being in Ballarat I love it,” she said.
“I’ve been aiming towards the 20km more so than the 5km so I found that a little bit difficult and I’m at the end of a big training block so I’m a bit tired.
“I love to win here. I’m really proud to be a Harrier and I do it for them and Ballarat aswell. I feel like it’s part of a Ballarat team at meets like this.”
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au
BALLARAT MEDAL COUNT
DAY 1
BALLARAT MEDAL COUNT
DAY 1
BALLARAT MEDAL COUNT
DAY 1
GOLD
Kobie Somerfield (H) women’s under-20 5000m walk
Kelly Ruddick (H) women’s open 5000m walk
Nick Milton (W) men’s under-18 400m hurdles
Chris Lang (W) men’s 50+ 400m hurdles
Nick Fidler (W) men’s under-14 1500m
Louise Wood (Y) women’s under-20 3000m
Angela Williams (W) women’s 40+ 3000m
Laura Hutchins (E) women’s under-18 shot put
Rob Lehmann (W) men’s 40+ triple jump
Darcy Edgerton (E) men’s under-14 javelin
Laura Hutchins (E) women’s under-18 discus
Brady Castleman (W) men’s under-16 high jump
SILVER
Andrew Blood (Y) men’s open 5000m walk
David Lenehan (E) men’s 40+ 400m hurdles
Jack Shaw (W) men’s under-18 400m hurdles
Kate Ryan (E) women’s open 400m hurdles
Sam Williams (W) men’s under-16 1500m
Lucas Shugg (W) men’s under-18 1500m
Rachel Gibney (H) women’s 40+ 3000m
Courtney Scott (E) women’s open 5000m
Jesse Fullerton (E) men’s under-20 5000m
Jamie Huggett (Y) men’s open 5000m
Paul Burge (H) men’s 40+ 5000m
Connor Shugg (W) men’s under-14 javelin
BRONZE
Amy Canavan (E) women’s under-14 1500m
Brandon Pryor (E) men’s under-16 1500m
Jack Birmingham (E) men’s under-18 1500m
Andrew Clarke (E) men’s 50+ 3000m
Robert Soar (E) men’s 50+ 3000m
Rhiannon White (E) women’s open 5000m
Ryan Friedrichs(W) men’s under-14 javelin
Ali Bilney (W) women’s under-18 triple jump
Yual Reath (Y) men’s under-16 high jump
Cailtin Christie (W) women’s open high jump