Dingley race-walker Amy Burren and mum Joanne compare their collection of state medals. Amy recently won her fourth medal at the Victorian Little Athletic Championships.
The 11-year-old Dingley resident recently competed at her fourth Victorian Little Athletic Championships and again race-walked her to way to victory in the 1500-metre event.
Her quadrella of walking wins has matched the success of her mum, Joanne, also a talented walker.
Between 2003-2006 Amy won two 1100-metre events and two 1500-metre events.
Joanne won gold medals in two 800-metre and two 1500-metre events at the 1979-1982 Victorian Little Athletic Championships.
Joanne dusted off her medals to compare with her daughter’s, but ruled out a return to the demanding sport.
“When comparing the times I was walking the 1500-metre back in 1981 to the time Amy is walking, they have become a fair bit quicker,” she said.
“But I don’t think I’ll be making a comeback.”
Amy walks 1500-metres in seven minutes and 45 seconds, a time most could not even run.
But the Narre Warren Little Athletics Club member said she loved competing.
“I love walking and racing, it’s a great sport,” Amy said.
One of the most important weapons in a race-walker’s arsenal is a good technique.
Walking the right way prevents competitors from receiving warnings and subsequent disqualification and goes hand in hand with speed.
Competitors must learn to master the technique before pushing for extra speed.
“Walkers must have one foot in contact with the ground at all times,” Joanne said. “The leg must be straight when it goes under the body.”
With a long career ahead of her, Amy has kept a close watch on the walking event at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Australian race-walker Jane Saville won the women’s 20-kilometre walk at the Commonwealth Games on Monday and Amy said she aspired to compete at international level.
“I would like to keep winning and make it to the top level,” she said.
