The annual Glow Worm Tunnel trail running weekend is set to take off again this weekend and young Gabrielle Dray is excited for the challenge.
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The 10-year-old will not be taking on the full marathon but has found the 6km Ted English Bolt to be more her speed.
She claimed third place in the under 12 division last year as a 9-year-old.
“Because I’m really sporty I like to do every run that comes along,” Gabrielle said.
“So when I do the Glow Worm Tunnel I like to run around with mum, just go crazy.”
“You beat me every time,” mum Genevieve adds.
Gabrielle’s favourite part of the race is the dash across the Wolgan River but she also appreciates the area’s history.
“It’s a really interesting place because you’ve got like the old ruins, old buildings and stuff that used to be there for ages,” she said.
The Wallerawang Public School student is not just a keen runner, in fact Gabrielle will jump at the chance to play any sport she can get her hands on.
League tag, rugby league, hockey, soccer, touch football, athletics, cross country, equestrian, swimming, riding motorbikes, the list goes on and on.
But don’t ask her to choose just one.
“Pretty much everything I’ve done now is my favourite,” she said.
Not surprisingly this makes for a very busy schedule after school during the week and on weekends.
“Since it’s my second last year in primary school, mum said I could sign up for any sport I want so I guess mum can’t get up me.”
As if all the sport is not enough, Gabrielle also attends Girl Guides on a Monday afternoon.
Recently, her most impressive achievements have come in track and field.
The year five student competed in every event at her school athletics carnival and came away with first place in the 800m, 200m, 100m runs, shot put, long jump and finished third in high jump.
Gabrielle has been riding horses for as long as she can remember and her horse, affectionately named Bugga, has a special place in heart.
Her grandfather found Bugga as a brumby in the Snowy Mountains.
He began to train the horse but passed away when she was three years old. Bugga’s training was completed by local trainer Allie Booth.
Bugga received her name for her annoying habit of jumping fences, which she continues to do.
She also has a habit of ripping her rugs but Gabrielle continues to love and take care of her all the more.
Gabrielle’s ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympics.
In what sport? She hasn’t made up her mind yet.
