In 2008 Kate continued to improve, smashing
her personal best with an A qualifying performance (2:28.51) to
finish second in the Nagano Marathon.
As a result she was chosen for her debut at the Olympic Games in
Beijing as the oldest member of the track and field team. Running
with the pain of a pinched nerve in her back, Kate fought back
thoughts to pull out of the Olympic marathon, battling on to pass a
number of competitors in the second half of the race, eventually
finishing 44th in 2:36:10.
AUSTRALIAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS:
5000 metres: 2005 –
7th
10000 metres: 2004 – 5th, 2006 – 6th
Half Marathon: 2003 – 2nd
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Commonwealth Games: 2006 – Marathon 7th (2:38.30)
Olympic Games: 2008 – Marathon 44th
(2:36.10)
ANNUAL PROGRESSION:
Marathon:
2000 2:50.01
2001 DNC
2002 DNC
2003 2:45.32
2004 2:39.40
2005 2:33.41
2006 2:33.39
2008 2:28.51
EVENTS / PERSONAL BESTS:
10000 metres: 34.12.16 - 2005
Half Marathon: 1:13.30 - 2006
Marathon: 2:28.51 - Nagano, 19/04/08
A late starter to distance running, Kate burst onto the scene as a 25-year-old in 2003, being selected in the Australian team for the Ekiden Relays. 2003 also brought impressive performances over the marathon distance, as Kate finished eighth in the Rotterdam Marathon and 20th in the Nagoya Marathon.