Tuesday, 09 March 2010
WHAKATANE speedster Matt Fraser is hoping a seven-year absence from competitive running has not slowed him down.
The talented runner will line up for the 10-kilometre run at the Fitness Fusion Ohope half marathon and doggie dash on Easter Sunday.
Fraser and his fiancé, Erin Beeler, moved back to Beeler’s hometown of Whakatane last year. Several years ago he was a member of the New Zealand young Olympian squad in the 800 and 1500 metres as well as a member of the national road relay team. Following a particularly brutal race in Scotland, he hung up his trainers vowing “never to run again”.
“I’m carrying and extra 20 kilograms these days so I’ll just be happy to finish - there will be no medals for me,” he said.
The event has proved popular with more than 130 walkers and runners signed up from all over New Zealand and overseas.