TRAINING for cross country is very different when you are doing it on a treadmill instead of in the countryside.
But that preparation didn’t harm James Bradley’s performance at the state schools cross country carnival at Eastern Creek last week.
James finished in fourth place, missing out on a bronze medal by one second.
The Singleton High student finished the three kilometre course in a time of 10.54 minutes and is now a member of the New South Wales schools team to contest the national titles in Adelaide.
James heads off to Adelaide to compete in the national event on August 24.
On arrival the athletes have the opportunity to walk the course before the individual cross country national competition the following day.
Group excursions have been arranged for the athletes on the Sunday and on the Monday the states will run a relay event with each team member covering a 1500m distance.
This will be James’ fourth national appearance having attended the event at Nowra as a 10-year-old, Brisbane as an 11-year-old and Canberra as a 12-year-old.
Another five students from Singleton took part in the state titles.
Nick Watson finished 45th in the 11-year boys, Harry Duff finished 70th in the 12 year boys, Jasmine Newton finished 65th in the 12 year girls, Emma Watson finished 57th in the 14 year girls and Mitchell Bradley finished 42nd in the 15 year boys.
Between 90 and 100 athletes from throughout New South Wales competed at the state titles in each of the age groups.
