Olympic legends put running back on track

Track legends Steve Ovett and Ron Clarke will headline a running seminar at the University of Queensland this Friday night (2 April) to coincide with the launch of Australia’s first Milers Club.

The duo, recognised among the all-time greats of the sport, will throw their weight behind a new initiative to improve the standard of middle distance running in Queensland.

England’s 800m Olympic champion Steve Ovett will pass on the experience of the successful British Milers Club in a bid to launch a similar model in Brisbane.

The seminar will cap a memorable evening for Brisbane’s running community with the annual UQ Sunset Scamper to precede the Olympic greats.

The twilight event is a 3km or 5km fun run for runners and walkers along the Brisbane River.

UQ Athletics head coach Pat Clohessy said the presence of the two multiple world record holders would be a boon for anyone interested in the sport.

“Steve’s and Ron’s achievements during their career rank them among the greats of the sport and this seminar is a rare opportunity to see them together in an open forum,” Mr Clohessy said.

“We’ll hear about Ron’s development from a young athlete to elite level and also how a mechanism like the milers club will help with the development of middle distance running.

Mr Clohessy said he hoped the new Milers Club would act as a vehicle for assisting developing athletes to reach their potential.

The UQ Sunset Scamper will start at 5.30pm with registration and entry ($15) from 5pm at the UQ Athletics Centre. The running seminar will commence from 7pm – cost $10.

For further information contact: Kelly Chapman Ph: (07) 3365 6041 or 0412 066 466