Mottram motivates aspiring athletes

By Nathan Dole
Updated November 7 2012 - 12:41am, first published October 23 2008 - 10:32am
KEEP ON RUNNING: Distance running star Craig Mottram is surrounded by keen students at yesterday's clinic in Bendigo. Picture: BILL CONROY
KEEP ON RUNNING: Distance running star Craig Mottram is surrounded by keen students at yesterday's clinic in Bendigo. Picture: BILL CONROY

ALTHOUGH he has not watched his 5000m heat run in this year’s Beijing Olympics, Craig Mottram will use the disappointment as a spur leading into many more races.The Australian distance running star was in Bendigo yesterday for a motivational talk and then a training session with students from various Bendigo secondary schools.The keen youngsters gained a valuable insight to Mottram’s drive to race against the world’s best.The talk not only focused on the success he has gained, but also the setbacks, such as the Beijing Games, or falling over in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games final.“Obviously, Beijing was disappointing,’’ Mottram said of not qualifying for the 5000m final. “It’s an experience I have learnt a lot from.’’He has to wait until London 2012 to again race for Olympic glory, at what would be a fourth Games appearance.Before then, there are many races to contest.Mottram’s next major race will be the HBA Great Australian Run on November 30 at Melbourne’s Albert Park. The field for the 15km showdown includes world marathon record holder and multiple world and Olympic champion, Haile Gebrselassie, and Beijing marathon champion, Constantina Dita-Tomescu.“It’s arguably the best field we have had in Australia for a race of this distance,’’ Mottram said.Presesently self-coached, Mottram’s training regime will step up markedly over the next six weeks.Mottram said he enjoyed being in Bendigo, a city where lifelong family friends John and Peggy Palmer live.“The response from the students has been fantastic,’’ Mottram said.Students from Bendigo Senior SC, Weeroona College, Bendigo South West Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, Bendigo South East Flora Hill and Golden Square took part.“They were keen to listen, and then did really well in the training session.’’The runs around the Sports Centre track were three sectors of 800m, with a slower-paced lap in between.Mottram’s regional tour also took in Geelong and Ballarat.After watching and helping the keen youngsters through their paces, Mottram was later doing what he has done thousands of times - another training run.

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