Liam to run the race of this life | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

Whether it's being chased down the road by a dog or sprinting up the neighbours' hills, Stratford's Liam Jansen is training to win.

In March, the 16-year-old will be competing in the world secondary schools cross-country champs in Malta.

``It's pretty exciting. I never really thought I would get that far, but now that I'm there, it's kind of surreal.''

Liam is  training six days a week, which includes leg speed sessions, pumping sessions and running between 40 to 120 minutes a day.

``Last night (Wednesday), I was chased by a dog on the road,'' he laughed.

Liam has been overseas but never to Europe, so Google  educated him on the country he will soon run his biggest race in.

The New Plymouth Boys' High student started competing when he was in Year nine. He says he realised he had the talent  when 27th in Taranaki. ``It kind of went from there.''

In 2010, Liam was part of the three-man team that won the national cross-country champs and he  was 11th in the U16 race. Last year,  in his first senior race, Liam was 94th.

In Malta Liam, together with five school friends, will  compete in the teams race.

Karen Gillum-Green, one of Liam's two coaches, expects the team members will surprise even themselves.

``The kids are very focussed. They know what it's all about.''

Karen says it's hard to gauge their chances  but  they will for sure be putting up a fight.

``I don't  know what the world stage is like but I think they will surprise a lot of people in the community thinking they are going to get dicked. We are talking serious competition.''

Karen has coached Liam for about two years and is impressed with his talent. ``He's not scared of hurting and you don't often see that.''

Last month, Liam spent a month with his uncle in the north shearing sheep to help fundraise for his trip.

``It's been good. I achieved my first 100 in a day,'' he says. ``I enjoy it. It's hard work but it's worth it at
the end of the day.''

Running becomes addictive, says Liam, and whille he prefers the 800m run, he is eager to tackle the
5km event in Malta.