Is this a future olympian?

Matthew Lee | 29th December 2008

Renee Pilcher

THE path to Olympic glory is not an easy nor often realised one, but Gympie long distance running sensation Jack Curran is already taking impressive strides towards reaching this goal.

And 2008 saw Curran, 14, take some of his biggest strides yet, leaving the tentalising prospect of what lies in wait in 2009 as a the runner commences work on a new chapter.

The most recent of Curran's success was achieved at the Pacific School Games in Canberra which concluded earlier this month.

Curran returned from the event with three gold medals, broken records and a great sense of pride in what he could achieve.

The golden haul covered the events consisting of the 2000 metre steeplechase, the 1500 metres and the 3000 metres.

Curran posted a record time in the 2000 metre steeplechase and issued a pounding to the existing record, trimming a fraction over 15 seconds off the previous mark.

His second record was achieved in the 3000 metres, which also created history in that the time put to death a 25-year longstanding Australian All Schools mark.

“I'm most proud of the 3000 metres win because I took eight seconds of my personal best time and claimed the record for both the Pacific School Games as well as the national record,” he said.

But the success at the Pacific School Games was just another highlight of a year saturated in success, including, in part, wins with Queensland cross country representation and success at the Pomona King of the Mountain 10 kilometre quarter marathon.

Gympie State High School teacher Keith Brown, heavily involved in Curran's training, has remarked in the past on the “natural running ability” Curran possesses.

“Jack's running style is exactly what a runner should be aiming for and he has potential,” he said.

Curran moves next year to commence a sporting scholarship with the Brisbane Anglican Church Grammar School, describing the move as “exciting”.

With access to a greater depth of competition to drive his development, and with dedication that will not budge an inch, Curran will surely continue down the path towards realising his dreams.