Coke Games 2019: Tough Training Ticks: Vunakece

Running up and down the terrains of Tailevu North saw a fit Loraini Vunakece took out the 3000m girl’s final at the ANZ Stadium, Suva yesterday.
The win saw her grab Tailevu North College’s first gold medal at the Coca-Cola Games.
Vunakece clocked a time of 11.15.79 minutes followed by Camari Adilasaqa of Adi Cakobau School with a time of 11.37.40 min while Mereoni Vakalolo of Seqaqa Central College came third with 11.45.42 min.
Speaking to SUNsports, Vunakece said for months she would run from Wailotua in Wainibuka to her village of Veinuqa.
“It’s about an hour’s drive,” she said.
“I didn’t expect to win the race. It was months of hard work as I trained along the hills of Wailotua.
ENCOURAGING WORDS
“It was a struggle for me waking up early in the morning and running up the hill with my coach and other team-mates.
“I’m grateful for that as it paid off with a medal today.
“I thank my coach for believing in me and always encouraging me to keep working hard.”
–Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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