Jack Hale has confirmed his return to the Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals series, with the Tasmanian sprint sensation saying there’s “no reason” why he won’t be faster than last year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 20-year-old from Hobart will return to the Coast as the reigning Latrobe Gift champion after winning the 120m event in a time of 12.32 with a 0.50m handicap last year.
He will also return to the Burnie Carnival, where earlier this year he reached the semi-finals after controversially starting behind scratch over the same distance.
Hale, who represented Australia at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in the 4x100m relay in April, also plans to add the 400m Devonport Gift to his itinerary for the upcoming series.
“I am so keen, as it will be nice to get back to Tassie, not just for a trip, but to do some racing,’’ the Melbourne-based Hale said.
RELATED
“This (the carnivals) is the perfect set-up for me, as last year I knew if I raced fast it was going to show going into the season, and it set me up well mentally and physically for the season.
“I am moving quicker than I was last year and feeling fitter than I did last year, and again I want to come over and have some success at the carnivals and not just go down and get run out in the heats, so making the final will be my goal for every event and I think that is possible.
“We will see what the go is with Devonport, but at the moment I am pretty keen for that, and I am fit enough to run that, and it is a pretty prestigious event.
“I reckon I’ll get a decent mark as well for it not being a 400m runner.”
The Adam Larcom-trained runner said his experiences in 2018 had made him a better runner and person, and he was keen to show that in what will be his fifth carnivals series.
“It has been crazy as having my first senior international comp (the Commonwealth Games) and being able to mingle with some of those guys have made me a better athlete and a better individual in the sport moving into the senior ranks.
“And this (the carnivals) might be the only chance I get to race at home this year, so I want to put on a bit of a show and run fast.
“I am little bit quicker and have put a bit more weight on and more work into my legs, so for me there’s no excuses for me really not to run quicker.”