The two time Olympian who competed in Beijing (2008) and in Rio (2016) has recently settled in Benalla and was excited to hear of the upcoming community event.
“I grew up in regional Victoria and really appreciate the significance of community events, so when I was told about the Benalla Act2DfeetMND day I was very keen to take part and do what I could to help promote it.” Ms Mitchell said
She will run the Queen of the Lake event and given her impressive track performances the record of 16:44, set by Caitlyn Sinclair in 2014, is almost certain to be broken. She is also participating in the Relay with the Benalla Saints team
Born in Melbourne, Ms Mitchell grew up in Mansfield where she competed in Little Athletics. After that she competed for Benalla Athletics before moving to a Melbourne Club.
“I used to compete in Benalla Athletics with David Keen and Hayden Kelleher and was coached by John Routledge before I made the move to a Melbourne club,” she said.
When the steeplechase was added to the athletics program for women Ms Mitchell thought she would give it a go. Little did she know at that time that she would be giving that event a go at two Olympics, three Commonwealth Games and two World Championships.
She made her international debut in 2002 at the World Student Cross Country Championships in Spain finishing in an impressive 11th out of 57. In 2005 she competed at the World Universiade Games in Turkey collecting a Silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase.
Although having represented Australia in so many events overseas, the highlight for Mitchell was the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the feeling when she walked out into the arena in front of a home town crowd. In Melbourne she finished just out of the medals in 4th place.
Twelve years on she was preparing for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
After the Games Mitchell decided to move home to Mansfield to recharge her batteries. Like most elite athletes it is hard to stay still for too long and Ms Mitchell was no different. She was soon lured into trying football and competing in Spartan events. It was during her time at Benalla Saints that she met her fiance Daniel Preston and has now made a move to Benalla where she is teaching at FCJ College.
The Benalla Act2DfeetMND events commence at 8:30 on Sunday, February 24 and will conclude at 12pm. It features, walks, relays, races and bike rides for all ages and abilities.
Funds raised go towards MND research. Participants can register on the day at the Benalla Lake Foreshore or online at www.act2dfeetmnd.com or at the MND pop up shop at Rambling Rose in Bridge Street.
With the support of Benalla and its surrounding communities, the Act2DfeetMND day has raised more then $575 000 in its first 11 years.
These much needed funds that have enabled researchers to focus on research to find a cure. While no cure exists, the Benalla committee continues to fight the fight, raising awareness and much needed funds for research.
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