Running into Summer

One of Australia's youngest and most successful runners, Eloise Poppett, has taken time out from her hectic international racing schedule to urge all women to hit the run track and prepare themselves to join over 5,500 participants in the 18th annual Sussan Women's Fun Run.

To be held in Sydney on Sunday 26 October and in Melbourne on Sunday 2 November, Eloise believes the five and 10km run or walk is just the thing to help women get ready for summer.

"It's a great day and fun for everyone. I remember last year seeing mum's with prams, aunties with their nieces, groups of friends and the more serious athletes getting amongst it all and enjoying the day," said Eloise.

Eloise has recently returned from Korea where she won the 5K event at the World University Games. Earlier this year she represented Australia in the World Cross Country Championships in Switzerland and attended her first Grand Prix meet in Japan.

Eloise's main focus is now on qualifying for the 5,000 metres at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"Competing in the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I was on track to qualify for the Sydney Olympics, posting an 'A' qualifying time for the 5,000 metres in late '99, until I suffered a stress fracture to my femur, which meant I had to pull out before the final qualifiers. To get so close was heartbreaking, but I learnt a lot from the experience and have used it to maintain my focus on Athens.

"As part of my preparation for the 2004 Olympics, I am competing in as many 5,000 metre events as possible and one of my favorites is the Sussan Women's Fun Run," she said. More on Eloise below.

Whether you are a serious runner with dreams to join the Australian Olympic team like Eloise or just happy to get together with some friends and have some fun, the Sussan Women's Fun Run series suits all ages and levels of athletic ability.

And it's all for a good cause. One dollar from every entry will be donated to vital cancer research and support programs in Australia.

• Several well-known celebrities and personalities are expected to attend and participate in the event, including Commonwealth gold medallist and ambassador for the Braun Silk-epil Team Category Jane Saville and top Australian runners Eloise Poppett and Haley McGregor
• The series is a fun day out for the whole family, with a range of activities including entertainers, games, a fashion show, music and kids activities
• Each participant will receive an event kit containing an official Sussan Women's Fun Run T-shirt plus other items
• Entry forms and information will soon be available at www.sussan.com.au, at selected Sussan retail outlets or by calling Super Sprint Promotions on 03 9596 2340
• One dollar from every entry will go to either the Cancer Council NSW or the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, funding vital research into the prevention and cure of cancer

AT EVENT

• BRAUN SILK-ÉPIL SMOOTH LEG CHALLENGE - A word of advice: arrive with hair-free legs to take the Braun Silk-épil Smooth Leg Challenge. Stubble spells trouble in this game! Good sports, including swimmer Michael Klim, will check legs for smoothness, with winners taking home a bag of Braun products
• NEW BALANCE FASHION PARADE - Look out for the return of the popular Fashion Parade to the Melbourne event, presented by the official performance footwear and apparel partner New Balance
• FERNWOOD AEROBIC WARM-UP - Practice those star-jumps! An aerobic warm-up for all participants will take place prior to each start, led by a qualified Fernwood Group Fitness Instructor and featuring Aussie swim-star Lisa Curry. Loosen those muscles before joining Lisa on the beautiful Sydney and Melbourne courses.

ABOUT ELOISE POPPETT, ATHLETE

Name: Eloise Poppett
Sport: Runner (1500m, 3000m, 5000m)
D.O.B: 09.11.1982
Place of Residence: Grays Point, Sydney

Achievements

• Currently ranked second in Australia over 5,000 metres
• 5th 2003 World Cross Country Championships, Switzerland
• 7th 2003 Grand Prix meet, Japan
• 5th all-time fastest Australian women over 5000m (at 16 years of age!)
• Holds the women's U20 record over 3,000m, in a time of 8.56

General training week

• Monday: Easy runs
• Tuesday: Track session
• Wednesday: Easy runs
• Thursday: Track session
• Friday: Easy runs
• Saturday: Race or Track
• Sunday: Easy 'long' run, up to 17kms
• Other training: stretching; gym; swimming

Hardship
After having posted the second fastest time for an Australian woman over 5,000 meters in late 1999 (15:18:06), Eloise Poppett was given an 'A' qualifying time for the Olympics which basically guaranteed her a spot in the Australian team. But 10 days later, disaster. Doctors confirmed she had a stress fracture in her left femur. There was only one thing for her to do and that was rest. This meant that her dreams to compete in the Sydney Olympics had been dashed.

But now she is back, stronger and more determined than ever. Her goal; Athens 2004.

Personal insight

• Her diet consists of lean meat, pasta, rice, yogurt and heaps of fruit!
• Her favorite places to run are Audley, Royal National Park NSW and Falls Creek, VIC
• Together with her brother, Eloise owns a personal training business in Sydney called Liveit Fitness
• She is studying Exercise Science at Wollongong University
• She works at Wollongong University Recreation and Aquatic Centre

For further information, or to enter the Sussan Women's Fun Run, visit the official event website at www.sussan.com.au or call 03 9596 2340.


Related Link:
Sussan Women's Fun Run - Melbourne & Sydney