World athletics cross country: Superstitious Logan Janetzki out to nail first home champs

He’s an Australian athletics young gun with a weird and wonderful collections of superstitions and races rituals - including one where he nicks his mums nail polish.

Logan Janetzki will be competing in the under 20 race in Bathurst.

Teenager Logan Janetzki does not believe in tempting fate.

It’s why he has a series of rituals and superstitions before every major race he runs.

One involves him not putting his spikes on a table of any kind and another will be plain for everyone to see watching him race at the Bathurst cross country world championships in Bathurst on February 18.

Janetzki, part of the Australian team competing on a spectacular Mount Panorama course, likes to paint his fingernails the exact colours of the singlet he races in.

“I do have some weird things that I do,” said the 18-year-old middle distance runner from Melbourne who won the national qualifying race in Canberra in January to earn his spot in the 8km under 20s event.

Logan Janetzki is competing in the under 20s race in Bathurst.

“Before every race I have to paint my nails in exactly the same colour of every singlet I wear.

“I also have to organise my stuff in a certain way and put things in my bag in an order.

“And (Australian teammate) Brett Robinson doesn’t put spikes on the table because it’s bad luck, so I don’t do that either.”

Janetzki said he was never that good at ball sports at school so running, a hobby he picked up from his father and grandfather, was his natural choice for sport.

Logan Janetzki with his painted nails

“When I was about 11 I started doing Little A’s with South Melbourne and I just really enjoyed it,’’ said the Hampden based runner. he said.

“But I didn’t take it seriously until I was older and then when I was at Wesley College I started racing a bit more, started liking it and started taking it more seriously.’’

“I’ve always had a bit of a competitive edge. I like training and I enjoy improving and working hard.

“If I have a bad race it fuels a fire. I like rivalries with other people. They fire me up.’’

Janetzki is hoping for a top 20 finish in Bathurst.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR 2023 WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men’s 10km – Jack Rayner, Matthew Ramsden, Brett Robinson, Rorey Hunter, Andy Buchanan, Ky Robinson.

Women’s 10km – Rose Davies, Leanne Pompeani, Caitlin Adams, Isobel Batt-Doyle, Georgia Hansen, Ellie Pashley.

Mixed 2km Relay – Stewart McSweyn, Abbey Caldwell, Oliver Hoare, Jessica Hull.

Under 20 Men’s 8km – Logan Janetzki, Archie Noakes, Jack Coomber, Cael Mulholland, Ciaran Rushton, Bailey Habler.

Under 20 Women’s 6km – Amy Bunnage, Gabrielle Schmidt, Gabrielle Vincent, Aspen Anderson, Claudia Meaker, Fieke Van Der Kamp.

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