On track Keely says it’s good to be back

Date: 3rd April 2023

After battling serious injury for four years, Keely Henderson has found her form at the right time with a host of finals under her belt and the win in the Open 70m at Ringwood, the last Gift before Stawell.

“It’s an amazing feeling to get to the end of the pro running season in one piece. I’m super proud of being able to make some great Women’s Gift finals at Ballarat, Keilor and Wangaratta where I’ve really been put to the test by the girls. I’ve also made some Open 70m finals which are hard to come by as they are very competitive every week. I was lucky enough to win the last Open 70m of the season at Ringwood which was my first win in six years,” Keely told us this week.

The win has placed Keely firmly in the mix to take out the Stawell Athletic Club Women’s Handicap 70m on Easter Sunday morning.

“I will be racing in both the Women’s 70m and the Change Our Game Women’s Gift at Stawell. Everyone who knows me well knows I love a 70m race so I will certainly be trying to put myself in the best position to run well in the Women’s 70m. I’ve been pretty unlucky this year and placed multiple times so to win at Stawell would be unreal.”

Keely believes her biggest achievement was reaching the Women’s Gift final in 2015, which was the first year that equal prize money was offered to the women. “That was life changing to be a part of such an historic moment in women’s athletics.”

Like a lot of pro runners, Keely’s whole family is invested in the Powercor Stawell Gift.

“Stawell is a family affair for us. My dad and uncle would go to Stawell each year to watch the Gift when I was younger, and it was our job back home to try to spot them on the TV on Easter Monday. It’s a bit surreal now knowing that I’ve now featured on that same live coverage a few times and it’s now them watching me run out there. 

“There is nothing quite like running up the sprint track at Central Park so I’m definitely looking forward to being back out there.

Keely’s second family is the NESP squad coached by Craig Mair which she has been a part of for nearly 10 years.

“It’s not very often you get to spend 3 to 4 days a week with a great group of people who all share the same passion. I know I can always count on my coach and squad no matter the result. They have been especially supportive in recent years after recovering from injury and major surgery and played a huge role in getting me back to the start line.”

NESP teammate and 2017 Womens Gift and 70m winner Liv Ryan is full of support for Keely. “She has had a ripper season so far and is a wonderful person,” agreed Liv. “I do think she will have a chance in the 70m, she’s been really close all year and after the win at Ringwood hopefully she can continue that form into Stawell.

Keely is one third of the Walk To Your Blocks podcast team and tries to keep Ollie Wurm and Dominic Condello in line each week during the pro running season.

“It is a delight working with Ollie and Dom on the Walk To Your Blocks podcast. I like to think the three of us bring a different and fresh perspective on pro running to the table each week and make the days leading up competitions that little bit extra exciting for the runners. We certainly have a lot of laughs both on and off air.”

Keely recently completed a double degree in Health Science and Applied Science (Osteopathy) at RMIT and now works full time as an Osteopath in Whittlesea and South Morang – “which I love!”

The next episode of Walk to Your Blocks, previewing all things Powercor Stawell Gift, airs on Good Friday.

Photo courtesy of Neil Jameson.

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