Run road to recovery...news from Healesville!

The following story appeared in the Mountain Views Mail on Tuesday 21 July, page 7. The story is by Monique Ebrington.

HEALESVILLE resident Riley Kennedy proved himself to be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition at the recent Eastern Zone Cross Country Championships recently.

The Healesville High School Year 8 student won the 800 metre and 400 metre events and broke the current record for the 1500 metre race, earning him a place in the state finals this Friday 24 July.

Despite his outstanding effort Riley had no formal athletics training before his Zone efforts.

His mother Leanne Kennedy said the 14-year-old’s only training as been running around Healesville almost every day and some novel running sessions on a recent family vacation.

“We were on holidays in outback New South Wales, after his run at Zones, and we would drop him off on a dirt track and get him to run back to the accommodation,” Mrs Kennedy said.

While there’s still a running debate over whether he got his speed from his mother, a keen runner in her early twenties, or paternal grandfather, who trained and ran with John Landy and Ron Clarke, Riley says all he knows is that he loves the feeling when he runs.

“I like the feeling you get when you’re running,” Riley said.

“I feel like I can do anything.”

Preparing to compete at a state level won’t be the only hurdle Riley has faced in his young life.

In June 2005 Riley made front page in the Mountain Views Mail when he was involved in an accident as he rode his bike home from school.

Despite the accident his mum couldn’t keep him off his bike, the footy field, the tennis court and the mix of different sports he played over the years.

Riley can also be thankful for his new sneakers and skins that were donated by the Salvation Army.

Healesville High School Sports Co-ordinator Chris Dell noticed Riley’s holey running shoes after his Zone race and contacted the organisation.

Riley’s mother Leanne is also a local performer and was going to cancel recording her next album to pay for the shoes, before the donation.

She had been made redundant at her job earlier in the year due to the recent bushfires.

Riley said he felt like he was already running quicker in his new sneakers.

“I felt really happy when I got my new sneakers,” he said.

“When I found out someone had given us money for them I wanted to meet them and say, thanks very much you’re going to help me out heaps. Sport is my life.”

Healesville High School Principal George Perini said the whole school community was proud that both Riley and Year 10 student Jamie Curtis made it into the state finals.

“We want to encourage Riley to further his running. We see him as having huge potential,” Mr Perini said. While Riley says he is a bit nervous about Friday’s race, he is looking forward to the tradition of his mum’s pasta the night before and says the support from his family the school and his mates has been great.

Another way that the Salvos and local community are working together!