Former Harden Local Samantha Cross set herself a goal to run a Half – Marathon in memory of her late friend Lui Polimeni.
Samantha participated in the YMCA Canberra Half Marathon on Sunday 28th May, running 21kms. Samantha set herself a goal 2 weeks before the marathon with little or no training after not running long distance in 2 years.
She said “It was more than a fitness goal, this one was mental. Once you know how to fuel your body and push yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to”. She set out with a time goal of 2 hours and 30 minutes but ran an outstanding time of 1 hour 54 minutes. Samantha said “Once I started the race feeling good I changed my goal time to push myself that bit further.”
Samantha dedicated her run to Lui Polimeni, donating $10 for every 10 minutes she ran in the marathon to the Gift Of Life Foundation – supporting organ donation.
Samantha said “Marking one year since family friend Lui passed away, this run was in memory of him. My greatest memories with Lui are school, Zone and State Cross Country aswell as the passion we both had for sport.”
