Siblings Kieran and Emily Simpson have been looking forward to competing in the BC Summer Games since they qualified, but getting there wasn’t always the plan.
“I wasn’t really focused on the Summer Games, just on running,” said 15-year-old Kieran.
Thirteen-year-old Emily will compete in the 800-, 1,200- and 2,000-metre runs, while Kieran will compete in the 100- and 200-metre runs and long jump.
For three years, the brother and sister have been competing in track and field in Trail, part of a long journey that led them to the Summer Games, which will be held in Surrey from July 19-22. And they’ve been in cross-country running in Adam Robertson Elementary School and, for Kieran, Prince Charles Secondary School, longer than that.
“Since I was able to run, I’ve entered long-distance runs,” Emily said.
In addition, both play soccer, which recently finished for the season, and are members of the Creston Wave Swim Club.
“That’s good for cross-training to compete in track,” said Kieran, who also plays hockey in the winter.
For their specific track training, credit goes to coach Michelle Ares, who drives them to Trail once a week for practice to make sure they’re up to par with the province’s other qualifiers.
“I’m looking forward to the experience and being able to run with the best runners throughout B.C., not just Kootenay runners,” said Emily.
“It will be cool to be in such a big event,” added Kieran. “You want to have fun, but you want to do the best you can.”