BRACEBRIDGE - Getting limber and probably still a bit tense, Grade 12 Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Secondary School student Natalia Hawthorn is in Poland right now preparing for her March 24 world championship race.
The 40th annual International Association of Athletics Federation world cross-country championships take place this coming Sunday and after an excellent season of running in late 2012 and earlier this year, she is right in the thick of things.
“It (is) incredible to be part of Team Canada and be part of a group that’s all dedicated to running,” she said.
Hawthorn earned her way on to Team Canada by coming out in the top six eligible runners in a photo finish at Canadian national competitions held in British Columbia shortly before the new year. From there, her trail ran to Jamaica for the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association’s finals a little more than a month ago, where she placed 13th overall in the junior girls division. As a whole, Team Canada managed to earn first overall based on total points accumulated.
For more information about the race or for updates and results, check out iaaf.org.