Runner Keith Law is out to smash ACT records By Jacob McMaster BegaTimes
BEMBOKA distance runner Keith Law is a man on a mission. Long-standing running records are in Law’s crosshairs, who has ramped up his training. Law, 58, said he was now a full-time athlete and runs twice a day to be fit for races. His weekly regimen covers about 130km, but with summer approaching, that will drop to about 100km. “I train twice a day everyday, except Sunday,” Law said. “I have been building toward my aims this year of breaking the 3000 and 5000m records in the ACT, which have stood since 1997.” The veteran has been doing altitude training in the winter months on Brown Mountain. This has meant enduring extreme cold and even snow for regular sessions.
Law is no stranger to breaking records, smashing his personal bests at each event during the winter season. He has competed in both Canberra and seven events in Melbourne this year. “I raced in seven championships and won my age group in six of them, while I placed second in the final,” Law said. “In that time I also set a course record in one of the events for my age.”
Just two weeks ago, he ran the Canberra Times 10 kilometre fun run and finished 24th overall from more than 1800 entries. In his age group he finished second, where the winner was his coach.
“The bugger always beats me - the student isn’t the master yet,” Law said with a laugh. The warmer months will see Law train just 100km a week. However, he will up the pace to replicate race conditions.
In between his personal training sessions, he also finds time to coach local students. “I train kids from Years 5 and 6 for their cross country runs,” he said. The masses of training amount to some of the quickest times Law has raced ever. Now he is excited to contest summer events and strive to break the records. “I’m concentrating on running fast to break the records and thoroughly enjoying my training,” he said. The summer season gets underway in October.
The international stage
KEITH Law is not just a prolific runner in the Bega Valley, but is internationally recognised with a world ranking. Registered times from major events count towards a world ranking, where last year Law finished fourth globally. He ran the Masters Games five kilometre and earned gold, while claiming silver in the Oceania Games and a bronze at the National titles. Times can start to be entered from October, so Law hopes the increased training will help see him rank highly again this year.
He hopes to compete in the World Masters Athletics Championships that will be held in Perth, but there is a massive cost involved. “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete against the very best in the world,” Law said. “I will be the oldest in my age group, but to represent my country, in my own country, would be a great thing to do.” As a regional competitor, travel expenses are a huge burden and Law has already missed two international events this year due to the cost.
The yearly shoe bill hits close to $3000 before travel and accommodation costs. If you are able to sponsor or donate to Law’s efforts to compete for Australia, you can contact him directly on 0447 930 331.
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