BENDIGO athlete Jacob Nolan credits his purple patch in form to a change in diet and renewed focus on training.
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Nolan made it back-to-back Victoria Athletics League victories by winning the open 1600m at the weekend’s Ballarat Gift meeting at Wendouree.
It followed his open 3200m win at the previous weekend’s Wangaratta Gift meeting.
Nolan, who started off the 145m mark, said it took a mighty effort to overhaul Jordan Walker (135m), but he was able to do so in the dying stages of the race to win a time of 4:13.80.
“(Jordan) is one of the regular rivals I run against – he’s beaten me in previous races, but I’ve managed to get the go on him in this race and beat him,” he said.
“Back-to-back (wins) is not something you achieve too often – that’s the first time I have done it. It’s a pretty good feeling.”
Nolan said a change in diet and a peak in training had everything “falling into place” in terms of his running.
Despite his recent wins coming over 1600m and 3200m, the Bendigo Athletics Club runner listed 800m as his preferred distance.
He will contest the 800m and the backmarkers’ mile at Saturday’s Keilor Gift meeting.
Beyond this weekend, Nolan is primed for a bold showing at the Bendigo International Madison showcase on the March Labor Day weekend.
Nolan has enjoyed previous success in Bendigo. He won the frontmarkers mile in 2015 and finished third in the 800m last year.
Meanwhile, jumps ace Kyle Murphy broke the centre record at open and under-20 level when he reached 14.73 metres in the triple jump at the Flack Advisory Bendigo Region meet on Tuesday night.
Several records were broken at the aptly-named Countdown meet as the region prepares for an upgade to the track at the La Trobe University Bendigo athletics complex in Retreat Road, Flora Hill.
Murphy was in fine form as he prepares to represent Bendigo at Saturday’s running of the Athletics Victoria Shield final at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.
Events for the Bendigo Harriers star are open triple jump and high jump.
Murphy will join forces with Bendigo Harriers’ clubmates Luke Matthews and Lachlan Carr, and South Bendigo’s Jake Hilson to contest the 4 x 200m relay.
Bendigo region will field teams in the open and 40-plus men’s and women’s divisions, and at under-14, 16 and 18 level for boys and girls.