After running the fastest 100 metre sprint ever by a Kiwi woman on home soil, Taranaki native Zoe Hobbs is back on the track working towards the national record set overseas.
The 21-year-old runs the 100 metres in 11.37 seconds, a domestic record she set last weekend at the Potts Classic in Hastings.
Michelle Seymour's time of 11.32, set in Melbourne, Australia on February 25, 1993 is the record Hobbs is looking to beat.
"It feels really nice, it's been a long time since I've last PB'd [personal best]. All the off-season training’s finally come to work and been put together finally feels like it's all worth it now," said Hobbs.
She grew up on a farm in Stratford, halfway between New Plymouth and Hawera.
Hobbs has been in Auckland for two years studying for a Bachelor of Science in human nutrition and was taken into a high performance programme with Athletics New Zealand.
"It had been a while since I last PB'd and they said 'yeah if you don't improve then we're gonna have to drop you from the squad' kind of thing and that was a big wake up call," Hobbs said.
Her coach James Mortimer, a former Commonwealth Games world championship sprinter says attending regular events in Europe and the US will help her grow and improve.
"Racing ya know week in, week out around international girls who can run close to 11 flat, even sub 11 will be a big help and a big experience for her," said Mortimer.
SHARE ME