PAC News Report
COOKS – ATHLETICS: COOK ISLANDS NEWS PACNEWS SPORT: Wed 14 Mar 2018
Beddoes on track for Commonwealth Games
RAROTONGA, 14 MARCH 2018 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS)— Cook Islands middle-distance runner Alex Beddoes finished fourth in the 800 metres event at the New Zealand National Athletics Championship held in Hamilton over the weekend.
He clocked a time of one minute, 51.8 seconds in the championship, which was the first in 2018 for the Cook Islands athlete.
In the final, Beddoes raced against the likes of Brad Mathis, New Zealand’s 800m representative to the Commonwealth Games, and James Preston, New Zealand’s 800m representative to the U20 World Champs.
“I felt good getting through the heats, and the final was a chance to open up and see where I was at,” said Beddoes. “It generally takes me two to three races to get fully race fit, and I have those extra races coming up in just a few weeks’ time before I head to the Gold Coast.”
Beddoes capped off the 2017 season on a high, winning a gold medal at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu in December last year. He ran a time of one minute, 54.77 seconds.
The 22 year old spent the festive season training, splitting the time between his home here in Rarotonga and his coaching bases in Rotorua, Tauranga and Auckland.
“I picked up a hamstring strain while completing a speed session up at the BCI Stadium in January this year and I was worried it would keep me out of competition, but I have a really good coaching and support team that have helped me get back on the track in good time,” Beddoes said.
His support team is made up of his coach Keith Roberts, osteopath Blair Ingram, and athletics specialist physiotherapist Vaughan Craddock.
“Coming back and taking three seconds off my time in December really is credit to my team,” Beddoes said.
Beddoes has two more events in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games next month…..PACNEWS.
Well Done Colleen
Coleen McEwen wife of OAA life member Fletcher McEwen impressed us all with her knowledge of homer’s the Odyssey on abc 2 hard quiz. Coleen made it to the final two well done Colleen. You can watch the episode by visiting the ABC I view website.
