Athletics Fiji trying to revive middle and long distance running

Athletics Fiji says a group of young talented athletes have been selected from the 2022 Fiji Secondary Schools Championship coming together to revive middle and long distance running.

They have athletes from Waidina Secondary, Naitasiri Secondary, Saint Joseph’s Secondary, Lomaivuna High, Xavier, Balata High, Korovuto College and Nakasi High who have been training for the past 7 weeks.

Athletics Fiji is working closely with Striders Athletics Club and Suva Marathon Club, to create a movement, to revive middle and long distance running in Fiji.

The 2023 World Cross Country Championships, in Bathurst, NSW on 18th February 2023, provides an excellent platform to help rebuild Fiji’s strength in middle-and-long distance running which we were known for in the Pacific. The World Cross Country Championships will have the following events Under 20 Women - 6 Km, Open Women – 10km, Under 20 Men – 8km, Open Men – 10km, Open Mixed Relay – 4 x 2km each.

Athletics Fiji is hoping to send a team of 8 to 12 athletes to the Championships and at the same time creating a strong training squad for the 2023 Pacific Games that will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November.

They add this crop of young athletes will be an important part of our talent pool for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.