Liam Lamb running in the North island cross-country champs. PHOTO/FILE
ATHLETICS
CHRIS COGDALE
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Wairarapa College student Liam Lamb is hungry for more international competition after an encouraging performance at the Australian Cross-Country Championships.
Lamb finished 23rd in the boys’ 18-19 age group in the 8km race held at Kembla Grange, near Wollongong, New South Wales on August 24.
Lamb’s time of 27 minutes and 18 seconds was 30 seconds quicker than his previous best for the distance.
He was 2.20 behind the winner Isaac Heyne of South Australia, and was the third-placed New Zealander, 23 seconds behind Max Karamanolis and eight seconds behind Fletcher Pickworth.
Lamb then ran the fourth leg for the Kiwi team who claimed second in the 5x3000m relay, only seven seconds behind the winners New South Wales and 14 seconds ahead of Queensland in third place.
Lamb was pleased with his performance, given that the running conditions were quite different to what he had experienced over the New Zealand winter.
“It was 24 degrees Celsius with a warm wind blowing and parts of the track were very dusty.
“This made it difficult for the New Zealand runners to adapt.
“Speaking to some of the Australian runners after the events it became apparent that they were used to training in the hot dusty conditions.”
Lamb now wants more international competition.
“This trip has grown my confidence as an athlete and has given me a taste of competing at an international level with some of the best runners in the world.
“It was an extremely proud moment to be wearing the New Zealand singlet and representing our country and this has made me hungry for more,” he said.
