Two Timaru sprinters are hoping to excel at the seventh World Masters Games in Sydney.
Richelle Cannell and Mandy Shirtcliff go to Sydney next month to tackle the best athletes in their age groups.
Competition will be tough with the pair facing competitors from the Russian Federation, Europe, South Africa and the United States.
Cannell is set to run the 100m- 200m double while Shirtcliff will run in the 200m, 400m and will also compete in the javelin.
Both returned to the track in May in Shirtcliff’s case after several years away from the sport under the watchful eyes of sprint coach Don Garland.
It has not been easy for the pair, with each suffering from niggling injuries, but they are confident they will be at their best in Sydney.
Garland himself was a contender for a start as well but suffered an injury that put his comeback on hold.
Cannell said part of their motivation was the fact the World Games were so close.
“Last time they were in Canada, so Sydney seemed achievable and when we went back training we needed a goal.”
The 40-year-old got back on the track for the first time since secondary school for the South Island Masters and enjoyed the competition and the company.
“It will also be fun running in the Olympic Stadium and supporting each other,” she said. Likewise, Shirtcliff has returned after an impressive career in her youth when she represented Canterbury at national level.
The World Masters Games have been held every four years since they began in Toronto in 1985. It is the world’s largest multisport event, attracting up to 25,000 competitors, twice as many competitors as the Olympics. There will be 28 sports hosted at 70 venues throughout Sydney. Timaru has representatives in other sports including swimming and netball.
