Athletics: It's all uphill for former track champ

She's a triple world champion on the track but outstanding Katikati runner Sally Gibbs is taking to the hills for her next mission.

Gibbs has been selected to represent New Zealand at the world mountain running championships in Italy on September 2.

"My times have been improving to the point where I'm competitive at a national level, but at my age I never thought it would be possible I would get to wear a New Zealand singlet. I'll be very proud to do that," she said.

Gibbs will compete in the 7.9km open women's race, legging it uphill to 688m above sea level.

Gibbs won gold last year in the 5000m, 10,000m and marathon at the world masters in Sacramento but it was her string of winning performances that earned her selection this year, breaking women's New Zealand age group records in the New Zealand 10,000m championships (open women), Huntly half marathon (first woman), Oceania marathon championship held as part of the Gold Coast marathon (6th woman overall) and second in the women's 5000m at the national track and field champs.

"Often the time means more than winning," she said.

It was while she was competing in masters swimming that Gibbs discovered she had more talent for running.

"I knew nothing when I started. I can't say enough for the support, encouragement, friendship and family atmosphere the Tauranga Ramblers club offers. The opportunities I get I never dreamed would be possible when I started competing three years ago at the age of 46. Also the wonderful people I've met through running.

"My coach Barry Ellis gives me a programme based on my goal events - a mix of steady endurance runs, speed work, hill training and easy sessions. Generally I run every day, sometimes twice a day, from 40 minutes to 2 hours-plus, incorporating road, off-road and track - up to 150km a week."

And she often takes wrong turns. "My sense of direction is legendary," she laughed.

Gibbs has been preparing for Italy by running the 4WD tracks on Mauao and and Mt Te Aroha. It's hard work, "but I'm goal focused and having a race looming on the calendar is great motivation".

She has received assistance from Tauranga Ramblers and Athletics Bay of Plenty and Katikati businesses.