Two years ago, the closest Trevor Kratzmann came to the athletics track was in cheering on his son Samuel.
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The self-proclaimed long distance runner preferred half and full marathons, but had switched to parkrun and 10-kilometre fun runs in recent years due to “business commitments and the constraints of my body”.
But in 2017, inspired by Samuel’s dedication to improvement as a sprinter, Trevor returned to the track for the first time since his high school years.
And after just two seasons participating in the Dubbo Senior Athletics Club’s Thursday evening competition, Kratzmann is bound for the Australian Masters Athletic Championships.
It follows a breakout performance – alongside fellow Dubbo athlete Peter Starr – in his debut NSW Masters Athletics Championships.
The pair placed in every event they competed in. Peter won bronze in both the 50-54 years 400 metre sprint and 800m run, while Trevor, also in the 50-54 years, came away bronze in the 1500m, silver in the 5000m and gold in high jump with a clearance of 1.50m.
“It’s a great feeling,” Trevor said.
“I probably have to admit I was most nervous about the high jump because I thought that was the one I had the most potential in.
“I had a habit in high school of choking in the high jump. It’s 50 per cent mental and 50 per cent physical, the high jump, once you get to a certain height.”
Trevor is now bound for the Australian titles in Melbourne from April 26 to 29, and credited his son and the Dubbo Senior Athletics Club for getting him there.
Samuel, 15, regularly competes at zone, regional and state championships, Trevor said, and is always working towards the next personal best.
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“My son … trains pretty regularly so he inspired me to … have another go,” Trevor said.
“Thanks to the Dubbo club for their support and making the facility available.
“We are really fortunate to have such an amazing facility like Barden Park to train and compete at.
“The biggest challenge at our age is staying injury free,” he added, after a recurrent calf injury ruled him out of last year’s state titles.
“This season I’ve really spent a lot of extra time on strength and flexibility and conditioning – especially for the high jump.”
He urged more people to get involved in athletics, as well as parkrun.
“The [athletics] season is ending now but it really caters for all age groups and abilities,” he said.
“There’s people from 19 right up to late 50s that come down and participate fairly regularly but there’s definitely room and scope to have more people come along.”