Bridie Edwards took up running at 13 as a way to get fit for the netball season, three years later and she has represented New Zealand at the World Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Hungary.
The 16-year-old finished 21st out of more than 70 competitors from 20 countries in the international 3km race, in a time just over 11 minutes.
“My goal was to do the best I could and I was really happy with 21st.”
Her first international event came with a week-long training camp with the New Zealand team at London’s Hyde Park.
Despite her success on the world stage just a matter of weeks ago, Bridie was not brimming with confidence about winning the Waimea College cross-country this week. “There is quite a fast girl who has transferred to my school, so it should be a good race.
“I started running when I was in Year 8 to get fit for netball and then I started to do well in my school cross-country’s and I started to enjoy it.
“I wasn’t very fit and I needed to change that for my sport. I got fourth in my school’s cross-country and I thought ‘ok’, that’s pretty good’ and just kept going from there.”
Bridie no longer plays netball regularly in an effort to concentrate on running.
She chooses to fill-in for teams when needed. Bridie runs with a group three times a week for 8km and then runs solo two more times. She says it is the social side she enjoys most.
“I run with a great bunch of girls who make it enjoyable every time. It’s like catching up with your friends.”
Bridie would like to see how far her running takes her in the future but for now, she’s keen to work on her technique.
Bridie wished to thank Nelson Athletics and Total Print Solutions for helping fund her trip.
