When it comes to the Stawell Gift there is one name associated with the label “teen sensation”, but this year Stawell youngster Tom Walker is hoping to make a name for himself.
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Walker is hoping to mix it with the best runners who attend Stawell in hope of an illusive sash.
Walker made his debut running at Stawell last season and after a steady year on the track he has big hopes second time around.
“For my first run at Stawell last year I had a good run in the back markers mile so I'd like to have a good crack at that again this year,” Walker said.
“I just want to enjoy it in front of a home crowd again like I did last year.”
Walker will tackle Australia’s most iconic running carnival on the back of runs at Ballarat, Warrnambool and upcoming runs at Geelong and Ararat.
Walker ran a strong third placing at his most recent start in Ballarat.
“I was happy with my third place in the mile as I had a strong finish,” he said.
“In the past the last 300 meters has been my weakness but I've been working on that and it's helping me out a lot.”
Walker had a big 2016 of running with state representation in the later half of last year, qualifying for the Australian Cross Country Championships, a run at All Schools Cross Country, as well as increasing his training schedule.
While Walker once ran a couple of times a week, he can now be seen pounding the pavement on a daily basis.
“My running is going really well now I'm training everyday,” Walker said.
“Heading into the Easter Gift, I've changed from training on the North Park track to Central Park. Other than that I'm just trying to keep working on my general fitness and speed.”
While Walker took part in the six-kilometre event for Victoria he remains focus on the shorter races.
He has his sights set on the back markers mile at Stawell.
“I'm definitely going to run the one mile at Stawell, but I'm not sure if I'll run a two mile as well or another of the one-mile events.”
Walker currently trains with the Marcus Cooper Stables from Ararat and also with Keith Haymes from Stawell who he is both really happy with.
“They both work really well for me,” Walker said.
Walker who is just 16 will have one years of experience under his belt, but he still plans on uses his youth and his adrenaline to his advantage when Easter comes around.
The Stawell Gift carnival starts on Saturday, April, 15.
