SOME of our most talented athletes have been sponsored into a high-altitude training camp as they try to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year.
The Jock Athletic group, headed by Jock and Melissa Campbell, sought expressions of interest when formulating a plan to get their athletes a better edge to their training.
"The result was numerous companies [many from Sutherland Shire] pledging financial support, headed by our long-term sponsor Crust, of Cronulla," said athletics coach Jock Campbell.
"So we now head off for a week of training in the Snowy Mountains, and some hard sessions to help our runners in upcoming qualifying races."
The training group includes Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games runner Eloise Wellings and Games marathon hopeful, Laura James.
Wellings, the senior member of the group, said they "greatly appreciated" the sponsorship that Jock Athletic had gathered to allow the camp to go ahead.
"Even with AA [Athletics Australia] support, I'm still paying for my last Olympics campaign in Beijing," said Wellings, who is aiming to qualify to run the 5000 metres in Glasgow in September.
"The high altitude camp brings us all together, something which would have been beyond our means normally."
Wellings has been running up to 85 kilometres a week, and training with up and comer Ali Najem, a state and national surf lifesaving 2km medallist.
"It has been really important training alongside Ali because in the past I've found I've had to do a lot of work by myself," she said.
Laura James has been in good form as she tries to bring down her personal best over the marathon distance to a 2 hour 40 minute qualifier.
Formally a touch football player and fun-runner, she has increased her distances gradually since joining the club.
"By April, I want to knock seven minutes off my times and contest the Canberra Marathon," she said.
Other members of the altitude training group are Ali Najem, Audrey Amiya-Hall, Mitch Palmer, Rory Darkins and Ciaran Williams.
— Brad Forrest
