Camden Athletic Club gets set to host 2020 Camden Classic footrace at Immanuel College
One of SA’s long-established pro running meets – the richest 400m footrace in Australia – is set to face the starter yet again this Sunday.
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Four years ago Alisha Peeters took up an offer to join her friend Kirsten Fantinel at the Camden Athletic Club to get fitter and for the social life.
With no athletics background and only a passing interest in sport, Peeters, 30, was not sure if she would measure up to the competitive side.
But after plenty of hard work with head coach Frank McHugh, Peeters now is one of the key contenders at the annual Camden Classic on Sunday, February 2.
Peeters finished third in last year’s women’s 400m final, behind Lauren McHugh and Zoe Steele. She then won the women’s 800m at Stawell to cap off an outstanding year.
But Peeters, of Bowden, says she gets more of a kick from being part of a close-knit club.
“While we all train together and sometimes compete against each other we all want the other to do well,” Peeters says.
“Winning at Stawell was a big thrill. So much has happened since I started ... and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to compete back then.
“It will be tough again in the Classic but it should be a lot of fun.’’
Luke Bero knows all about pressure after winning by a fingernail in the men’s 500m final at the recent Bay Sheffield meeting.
Bero, 22, who lives near Immanuel College and is training to be a physiotherapist, has been at Camden for about six years.
He says long-time club coach, mentor and Bay Sheff and Camden Classic winner McHugh, is the driving force behind the club.
“Frank knows when to push us and put the heat on,” Bero says.
“The Camden Classic is such a competitive event, I look at some of my training partners who have been trying for years to win it.
“And my 550m win at the Bay was amazing.
“I wasn’t expecting that at all. It was really a shock.’’
The Camden Classic is the second biggest athletics event in SA behind the Bay Sheffield.
It also boasts the richest cash prizes for 400m races in Australia at $7000 each for men and women.
The event will be held at Immanuel College while Camden Oval is resurfaced.
Racing begins at noon with the main 400m action between 3pm and 6.30pm.
The college is at Morphett Rd, Novar Gardens.