MOREE junior athlete Kate McDonald quite literally has the world at her feet.
The 11-year-old running machine has set her goals high – and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games are stamped boldly on her to-do list.
Kate made a statement at last week’s Run the Plains carnival – on both days.
She strolled away with girls 10-12 years Kamilaroi K on Friday night and won the open women’s five-kilometre and girls’ 10-12 years three-kilometre on Saturday.
Coach Ronny Clissold, Moree’s 79-year-old legend who has worn out plenty of running shoes over many decades, said Kate was a young girl going places in the world of athletics.
“The Brisbane games in 2032, that’s her aim,” Ronny said.
“It’s a big aim, but you have to have something to aim for and Kate is looking at those games. She’ll be concentrating on the 1500 metres – that’s her main distance.”
Proud parents, Ian and Skye McDonald, were trackside at Run the Plains to watch Kate in action.
“Kate is very dedicated, and Ronny speaks very highly of her,” Ian said.
“She’ll go to boarding school at Toowoomba next year, but tells me she’ll be coached by Ron over the phone, apparently,” he laughed.
Earlier this year, along with seven-year-old Isabella Boland and 10-year-old Marley Legg, Kate held her own at the NSW PSSA All Schools Cross Country in Sydney.
Kate finished eighth overall and sixth for government schools in a slick 11 minutes, 33 seconds for the three-kilometre event in her age group.
The effort earned Kate a reserve spot in the state team.
Running sensation Kate McDonald with coach Ronny Clissold at Run the Plains on Saturday. Ronny says Kate reminds him of Debbie Wells, the Emmaville Express, who competed at three Olympic Games.
Skye McDonald said it was this very moment Kate realised where her future lay.
“It was in the post-race marshalling that Kate got her biggest insight into competing at this level,” Skye said.
“The runners were from metropolitan areas close to Sydney. They all know each other and regularly compete against each other. Kate quickly realised how incredible it was to be at that level, when you come from a regional area with not much more race experience than your school, zone and regional carnivals.
“In fact, Kate was the only kid in the top 10 line-up with a regular pair on ASIC sandshoes on. Every other runner was wearing a flash pair of carbon-heeled running shoes.
“At the time, Ronny leaned over to me and said, ‘I think the kid has earned herself a new pair of shoes, mum’,” Skye laughed.
Skye said her daughter’s rise to prominence in the world of athletics has been a community effort.
“Kate has been very lucky to have a supportive Moree running community to help her along the way and Ronny has been instrumental in developing her athletic ability,” Skye said.
“Ronny is very mindful of her age and mental state, ensuring she isn’t pushed to the limit at every training session. He includes lots of relaxed, enjoyable runs in her training program.”
Runners from Moree Park Run and 2400 Run Club have helped Kate develop mentally and physically, Skye said.
“There have been times when a run isn’t going Kate’s way but there is always a runner that encourages her to keep going and will physically run with her to the finish line. This overwhelming support has given Kate and our family a great sense of community,” Skye said.
Prior to competing at State level, Kate broke four records at the Moree Public School athletics carnival, two of which have stood since 1999.
Ronny Clissold knew straight away he was dealing with an exceptional athlete with untapped natural improvement.
“At the moment, Kate is still 12 to 15 seconds behind the national best time for 1500 metres,” Ronny said.
“But since the State cross-country two months ago, she’s improved out of sight. That’s given her confidence, and she knows she’s capable of running with the best.”
Ronny said it’s been quite a while since he’s seen a young runner with so much potential.
He said Kate reminded him of champion runner Debbie Wells, the Emmaville Express.
Wells competed at three summer Olympics – 1976, 1980 and 1984 – and was three times Australian 100m champion, and twice Australian 200m champion.
Wells was 15 years of age when she qualified for the 1976 Olympic Games at Montreal.
“Kate is showing the same potential Debbie showed at around the same age, and Debbie was being shaped for the Olympics when she was 14,” Ronny said.
“Kate is showing the same ability, and Debbie went on to represent Australia.”
Ronny’s brother, former cycling coach Sonny Clissold, says Kate is “one-in-a-million”.
Sonny knows what he’s talking about. He trained his son, Johnny Clissold to win a national cycling title in Adelaide, and nurtured Garry and Shane Sutton, both world champions.
“Kids like Kate come along once in a lifetime. I watched her listening to Ron when he was giving her instructions before the race (at Run the Plains). She was listening to every word Ron said. I could see her mind ticking over,” Sonny said.
Skye said Kate will next step out at the NSW PSSA All Schools State Athletics Championships on October 23-24 in the 12-13 years, girls 1500-metre and 800-metre races.
“Kate is mentally and physically stronger than ever, and she’ll be wearing her new shoes,” Skye smiled.
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
