Goldfields runners step up to challenge
There's $20,000 up for grabs in tomorrow's City to Surf marathon, but three of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's running machines are in it for the personal satisfaction.
Shane Joyce, David Clark and Barbara Fieberg are gearing up for WA's biggest community sporting event, which celebrates its 40th birthday tomorrow.
Mr Joyce will be lining up for his fourth City to Surf, although he's not expecting to run his best time, given he is coming off the back of a 100km ultra-marathon in June.
"It will probably be a bit more of a sprint distance, I suppose," he joked.
"I'm still just allowing the body to recover and just making sure I'm not trying to get too much out of myself in such a short period of time.
"But you enjoy each distance for what it's worth … whatever you run, whether it's 5km or an ultra- marathon, it's your personal achievement that you get out of it that's the focus."
Though no stranger to marathons, it will be the first time Mr Clark competes in the iconic event.
He's been working hard to ensure he hits the ground running when the first group kicks off early tomorrow morning.
"(My preparation) has been very comprehensive," he said.
"Lots of training, lots of early mornings, lots of hard slogging on the training track.
"I'm training every day but probably running three to four times a week."
Ms Fieberg will take to the course for the second time in her career, but this year will be something of a personal milestone.
"This time will be my 10th (marathon) overall, so it's like a little anniversary for me," she said.
"I don't want to spook myself, to run a personal best is always good - that would be great.
"But I don't want to put myself under too much pressure, I just want to run to enjoy it."
