CANNING will be the centre of the universe for some 4000 athletes from around Australia and the world at the World Masters Athletics Championships later this month.
Athletes aged 35 and older will descend on Perth to compete in the elite competition.
The championships comprise of more than 60 events including track, jumps, combined and throws events, marathon and half marathon, road race walking and cross country
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READ NOWAmong the athletes is Jane Elton, a member of Masters Athletics WA (MAWA) and community development manager at the City of Canning who will run in a marathon.
Ms Elton got hooked on running when she started training for the 2003 City to Surf. Since then she has run in more than 50 marathons and travels the world in search of running challenges.
“The world masters athletics is a really great opportunity to mix with athletes from around the world,” she said.
“These are people from wildly different backgrounds who all share a passion for competing and participating.”
“It’s really great to see athletes who are competing into the later years of their lives. For me, it is the challenge and friendship that keeps me training and participating.”
Ms Elton said she was looking forward to the challenge of taking on international competitors.
“I can’t wait to run with athletes from around the world,” she said.
The championships, which start on October 26 and run to November 6 will be held across Perth and locally at Cannington’s Ern Clark Athletics Centre.
Canning Mayor Paul Ng said he was thrilled to see the city as a key destination for the event.
“The city is excited to be hosting the World Masters Athletics Championships,” he said.
“The preparations for the event are complete and with the resurfacing of the track, a new hammer and shot put cage as well as a new weighted throw area (the centre is) one of the best athletics facilities in Western Australia.
“The new athletic tracks will not only be a drawcard for the World Masters event, it will provide local and regional athletes the ongoing opportunity to train and compete at a top class venue for many years to come.”
To view the event time table visit www.perth2016.com/competition/program/