News Release: Friday 16 September, 2011

Ilena socks it to the competition!

Not even losing her running shoes could stop nine-year-old Ilena Shadbolt’s winning streak in this year’s cross country competition.

She came home first in the Year 5 QMC Cross Country event, then went on to win her year group category in the Western Zones, the Inter Zones and in the last week of two term at the Wellington Regionals. Now Ilena will catch the ferry in September to take part in the Inter-Regionals in Blenheim as she moves ever closer to her goal of 2011: to be the Year 5 Primary School National Champion.

Her impressive results are down to determination - after getting her shoes stuck in the mud at Inter-Zones, Ilena ran on undeterred completing most of her winning race in her socks! - and hard work. Ilena recalls, “I lost my shoes on the first lap, on my second lap I spotted them lying in the mud but I did not stop to get them.”

Her training has consisted of literally running for her breakfast, on the weekend she runs to Beach Babylon on Oriental Parade where she joins her mother (who drives alongside) for breakfast. Ilena has also been running three to four times a week with the support of Deputy Principal Kathleen McDonnell and Junior School teacher Jane Heather-Slater.

Ilena is passionate about her running and has already set her goals for next year, but says for now “I get to wear the cool Wellington Regional track suit and go on the ferry.”

Ilena will compete in the Primary School National Champion Cross Country on the 22 September 2011.

END

© Scoop Media