Newton runs in the land down under

Posted 11/29/16

Jenny Newton, 46, now of Missoula, Montana, won her age group in the cross country event for Team USA and placed fifth in another race in Perth, Australia.

Newton is the daughter of JoAnne and the late Duane Wroe of Powell.

Newton finished the …

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Newton runs in the land down under

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Competing half-a-world away, Team USA got a boost from a former Wyomingite with local ties during the World Masters Athletics Championships.

Jenny Newton, 46, now of Missoula, Montana, won her age group in the cross country event for Team USA and placed fifth in another race in Perth, Australia.

Newton is the daughter of JoAnne and the late Duane Wroe of Powell.

Newton finished the 8,000 meter (4.97 miles) cross country race in a time of 32:32.94, taking first out of 27 runners, then finished fifth out of 17 runners in the 5,000 meter (3 mile) race with a time of 19:32.28.

The masters championships are generally broken down by age categories in increments of five years; Newton competed against women who were between 45 and 53 during her two race.

Across all the different track and field events, competitors’ ages started at 35 and went up to 97.

“It’s really fun watching a 75-year old doing the high jump,” said Newton.

Newton — who didn’t start competing in races until her 30s — said it’s an inspiration to watch athletes competing in their 90s.

More than 4,000 competitors and 3,000 supporters from 80 countries were in Perth from Oct. 26 to Nov. 6 for the championships.

The World Masters race is held every two years in a different location for both indoor and outdoor track, with indoor track being held on alternate years.

Newton competed in two world championships before, one in Sacramento, California, and the other in Budapest, Hungary.

“Made me realize how many places there are out there — places that may not be on your radar, that are really amazing places,” said Newton of her competitions.

For example, when it comes to Australia, a lot of people tend to talk about Sidney.

“But I had never heard that much about Perth,” said Newton. “It was amazing: the beaches were incredible, people were great, animals were cute.”

While in Perth, Newton got to see a quokka — which she described as looking like a cross between a marmot and a kangaroo. Along with her medal, she was also given a stuffed animal version of a quokka.

Newton has also competed in races across the United States.

“Every time has been a great experience,” she said. “It’s great to get to see these places that you may not see otherwise. It’s been amazing.”

Newton is part of a running team in Missoula called the Mountain West Track Club.

“I couldn’t do this without them and their support,” she said.

For more information about upcoming national and international races and how you can compete, visit the USA Track and Field website at www.usatf.org.

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