(this is an excerpt of an article written by David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW)
One of the most exciting races of the weekend was the women’s 800m for ages 30 to 54. Despite the age ranges, it was a very close and high quality race amongst the seven competitors. They all finished within seven seconds in times from 2:28 to 2:35. The fastest was Nowra’s Erin Smart in the 35-39 age, clocking 2:28.73. The 50-54 years winner, Charlotte Middleton, was amazing running 2:29.64.
“That race nearly killed me, recalled Erin Smart. “The plan was to sit behind and save myself for the 200m later. But one of the girls went out pretty hard and I thought I don’t know her and what age division she is in. So that threw me a bit and I had to pick up the pace. Then I heard the pack getting closer. Lucky, I had a kick at the end to hold on for the win.”
Erin is primarily a sprinter and a few hours later was back on the track winning the 200m in a time of 26.57.
“I would have liked to sneak into the 25s, but considering the races I’ve done this weekend it was okay.”
Having never run in her school years, Erin was a later starter to athletics. After the birth of a son, Erin spent a lot of time at home.
“I remember being on the balcony and seeing some runners from the Nowra club run past. They looked like a motley crew and I thought maybe I can do that. Next week I went along, it was a 6km run and I was awful but it was fun to be out of the house and part of something. Then I started their track season. I was 35 and got a coach Mel Mustapic and my husband is a physio so he set my strength training.”
Now in her fifth year in athletics, Erin is a Speech Pathologists in Nowra.