HOMETOWN advantage is what Bendigo's Matthew Heislers will be aiming to capitalise on in Thursday's running of the School Sport Australia triathlon championships in Kangaroo Flat.
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The 15-year-old will pit his swimming, cycling and running skills against students from four other states and the ACT in and around Crusoe Reservoir.
Heislers earned a late call-up to Victoria's team.
The triathlon championships begin at 8am on Thursday.
Running is the best leg for Heislers in the three-discipline triathlon.
Heislers went on a record-breaking spree on the athletics track in March.
A highlight was a time of 9.03 in the 3km run at the Australian junior track and field titles in Sydney.
"To beat my personal best by 14 seconds was incredible," Heislers said.
"A goal for the race was a PB, so to break the Athletics Bendigo records for the under-16s was a bonus."
Heislers finished fourth in the under-17 3km duel at the Australian junior championships.
The Eaglehawk YMCA Athletics Club member warmed up for Sydney by running 9.17 in a 3km race on the Athletics Bendigo Tuesday night program at the La Trobe University Bendigo athletics complex.
The Terry Hicks-trained athlete has training sessions Monday and Thursday at LUBAC in Flora Hill.
"I run each day, but the distances vary."
Heislers started track racing about five years ago.
HIs first foray into athletics was cross-country, which he still does in winter with University Athletics Club.
Heislers has represented Victoria in cross-country and track championships.
Running plays a big part in the life of the Heislers family of David, Janine, and Matthew's younger sister Emily.
A year 10 student at Girton Grammar, Heislers knows the tracks in and around Crusoe a lot better than his rivals.
