Winner: Mason Beattie crossing the finish line in his time trial.
Nothing was going to stand in the way of Seymour College student Mason Beattie competing in this year’s Australian Cross Country Championships.
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Having won the school cross country event back in term two, he went on win the district, division and regional races.
He qualified for the multi-class event at the Australian Cross Country Championships at Oakbank Racetrack in South Australia from Friday, August 26, to Monday, August 29.
With the help of Seymour Lions Club, Mason was excited for his first ever trip on a plane to compete in the event.
But disaster struck when, on a training run the Sunday before the event, Mason fell and broke his collarbone.
A steller performance: Mason Beattie with his bronze medal.
Undeterred, he told his grandmother he would compete no matter what.
Having made it to race day against the odds, it was to his grandmother’s surprise when, not long after the event began, Mason began running backwards towards the starting line.
Relief washed over her as he eventually turned around and began running the right way again, crossing the finishing line fifth.
However, it became apparent Mason had faced yet another hurdle.
He finished the race with just one shoe, having lost the other at the start of the race.
But with one shoe and a broken collarbone, Mason crossed the line all smiles.
Along with his two Victorian teammates, Hugo and Sam, Mason finished third in the team event and received a bronze medal.
Time trials were held on the Monday and Mason won gold in the 1000m event.
Despite winning medals, the highlight of the experience for Mason was making new friends.
All smiles: Despite a few hiccups along the way, Mason Beattie brought his A-game.
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