By Patrick McCormack
Kerri Gallagher is preparing for the biggest race of her career. The Belle Harbor native and Fordham University star is racing in the 1500 meters for Team USA at the International Association Athletics Federation World Championships in Beijing Saturday and has herself ready to give her best.
“Training has been going really well,” Gallagher said. “I had the opportunity to get some good workouts in after coming back from Europe. At this point it is all about maintaining fitness and staying confident, which I think I am doing a good job with.”
Gallagher, who runs for team Oiselle and NYAC throughout the year, and the rest of Team USA are training for the meet in Narita, Japan. She is pretty calm and focused at the moment.
“It’s a new experience making this type of time and cultural adjustment, but everyone here in Narita has been overwhelmingly welcoming,” she said.
After qualifying for the Worlds, Gallagher competed in the 1500 in the Diamond League race in Monaco. There she ran 4:06.07, one of her better times of the season, against some of the world’s top runners. Gallagher is soaking up the experience she earned.
“Particularly in Monaco, it was very humbling and exciting to be able to line up in a field like that and really test my racing,” she said. “It made me that much more excited to keep pushing my boundaries and to compete at Worlds.”
Following the Diamond League race, Gallagher took a break from competition and worked at the American Running camp. The camp helped add to her excitement of going to Worlds as she got a chance to interact with some great coaches and enthusiastic campers gearing up for their cross-country seasons
“It made for a really special week before coming to Japan for final prep for Worlds,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher is grateful for all the support she has received as she gets ready for the biggest race of her life. The event will be broadcast on the NBC family of networks.
“It is an incredible honor to be able to represent Team USA,” she said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity and am thankful for all the support from friends, family, coaches, Oiselle and NYAC for getting me here.”
