Harris Ready for Marathon Debut
18 Sep 2013
World University Games representative Josh Harris will make his marathon in the debut this weekend as part of the Tasmanian team at the Australian Marathon Championships in Sydney.
The current state champion for the 5000m and 10,000m has been in career best form recently, including an 8th placing at the highly competitive Australian Cross Country Championships at Symmons Plains just over two weeks ago.
"Everything has gone to plan in training for the past six months. In periods I averaged up to 180km a week and got a 42km training run out recently, so I know I can cover the distance on my first attempt at it," Harris said.
23 year old Harris has previously only raced less than a handful of half marathons, but the Exercise Science UTAS student is aiming for big things on Sunday.
"My aim is to head out in about 69min pace through halfway, which would put me on target for a sub 2:20 finish time. While that is the goal, it will depend on things like the wind and the other guys in the Australian championship title race. You just never know with a marathon as there are so many variables," Harris said.
Harris will spearhead the Tasmanian team that also includes Jay Gordon who is the current silver medalists in the Tasmanian marathon championships after his run in January's Cadbury Marathon.
Fellow Sandy Bay's runner Daniel Clarke will be lining up in yet another national marathon championships, with his goal firmly placed managing his final 7km and avoid hitting the wall which has been his nemesis in recent marathon attempts.
Northern Suburbs runner David O'Brien will round out the Tasmanian men's team of four.
Master's athlete Tracey Keating and Deb Ludeke will form the women's Tasmanian team for Sunday. Keating ran 3hours 39minutes at the national titles in Melbourne last year, while Ludeke would be a contender for the states biggest fun run enthusiast as she continues her quest of running every major event and raising money for Bravehearts in the process.
Live television coverage of the Blackmore's Sydney Running Festival begins at 7am on TDT. See http://sydneyrunningfestival.com.au/ for further event details.