WHEN the field assembles for the 41st annual Edgell Jog this Sunday morning, amongst the hundreds of athletes will be a talented Bathurst teenager capable of taking the spoils.
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Brandon Martin was the best performed Bathurst runner over the 7.5 kilometre course last year, the then 17-year-old placing third outright.
He did it by clocking a personal best time of 26 minutes, 43 seconds.
This year Martin will be back for another attempt and his form over the past 12 months would indicate he is a chance of snaring a podium finish once more.
In the City2Surf, Martin clocked a time of 47:34 to not only place first in the 16-19 years category, but 39th overall in a field of more than 67,000.
Martin then had quick turn around, competing at the Australian Cross Country Championships in the under 20s 8km and 5x3km relay.
Again he picked up a podium finish, although the Bathurst talent was not entirely happy with his efforts.
“I performed well under my expectations in the individual race, but was very happy to win gold in the relay event,” Martin said.
After a minor setback due to a calf strain following the cross country titles, last week Martin competed at the NSW Combined High Schools State Athletics Carnival at Homebush.
He competed in the 17 years and over 3,000 metres, the 2000m steeplechase and 1500m, placing fifth, first and seventh respectively.
This Sunday Martin’s focus will be the Edgell Jog, where his goal is clocking a personal best.
“I don't really have much expectation for this year. The run I had last year was completely unexpected,” he said. “I'm just hoping to come in top 10 and hopefully better my time of 26:43.”
This year will mark the ninth time Martin has taken part in the annual jog. He said that it is a great event for the town and he enjoys participating.
“It's always lived up to its hype as the biggest fun run in country New South Wales,” he said.
“Having trained on the course numerous times over those eight years, you tend to find out what works best for you and you try to mirror that when you're actually out on the course racing.
“Obviously Esrom Street is the toughest part of the course, but once that's done it’s not a bad run home.”
The jog starts at 10.30am.
