BENDIGO athlete Andy Buchanan is gearing up to contest three of the biggest track races in the United States.
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![HEADING OVERSEAS: Andy Buchanan, who is preparing to compete in America, wins last year's Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile. Picture: NONI HYETT HEADING OVERSEAS: Andy Buchanan, who is preparing to compete in America, wins last year's Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile. Picture: NONI HYETT](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/G3M3FqVFYHjdnjXX9zgHHX/7d0d08fb-c45f-4865-8a5d-2b53d2e7a3d8.jpg/r0_224_3864_2834_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Victoria’s reigning open 1500m track champion, Buchanan will contest the Mt Sac, Oxy Invitational and Triton Invitational across a month-long stint in Los Angeles, San Diego and possibly California.
Buchanan will leave for the USA this Tuesday, a day after his 26th birthday.
A major goal will be to earn a place for the Payton Jordan Invitational, the country’s premier distance running meet, on May 5 at Stanford University.
Buchanan will be doing all he can to reach the qualifying time of 28.40 for the 10km.
The University Athletics Club member clocked a personal best of 29.17 in a 10km hit-out at Geelong’s Landy Field last December.
“It’s my first trip to the States,” the talented athlete said.
“Racing in America is something that my coach, Scott Westcott, had been urging me to do for a few months.
“All three races, possibly four, will be extremely challenging.
“The main goal of this trip is to test myself against really strong opposition, not just professional athletes, there is so much talent in the college system.
“It will be a great learning experience.”
There are plenty of emails and phone calls from athlete to his Newcastle-based coach.
Buchanan’s first hit-out will be a 5km duel at Mt Sac in LA on Good Friday.
“There may be three or four heats run,” he said of a meet that draws athletes from around the world.
A 5km or 15km race is planned for the Oxy Invitational on May 13.
Buchanan drops back to the 1500m for the Triton Invitation in San Diego.
The Payton Jordan is the pinnacle of 10km races in America.
“The qualifying mark is extremely tough, but I believe I can run 28.40 or faster.”
An injury-free spring-summer played a big part in Buchanan’s success in the 2016-17 season across Victoria and interstate.
Highs included breaking the Bendigo residential record for the 10km at Geelong, and the Centre record in the 1500m at the Flora Hill.
At the Victorian titles, Buchanan won the open 1500m in 3:45.40 at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.
“It was the biggest win of my track career, and a race I remember well.”
Because of his US campaign, Buchanan will not chase a third Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile win on Easter Sunday in his hometown.
A dual winner and dual runner-up, Buchanan has a great record in the Bendigo Harriers-run classic.
The athletics coach for the Athlete Development Program at Bendigo South East Secondary College said more than 50 students from the Flora Hill-based college will race in the Dragon Mile.