07 November 2010 www.dilimarathon.com - Augusto Ramos Soares, the 24 year old runner from the mountain district of Aileu has come into his own as a role model for Timorese, and as a driver for the development of Timorese sports and athletics.
In just four hours, Ramos Soares will be starting off on the biggest marathon of his life.
Ramos Soares was chosen along with Agueda Amaral to represent Timor-Leste at the New York City Marathon, this Sunday 7 November. Along the way they have been involved in various meetings that aim to promote Timorese sporting capacity.
The team concluded a successful visit to Canberra including meetings with the Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Timor-Leste, Janelle Saffin, the Minister for Sport, Mark Arbib, opposition leader Tony Abbott and Timor-Leste’s ambassador to Australia, Sr. Abel Guterres.
Mr. Abbott’s expression of interest in competing either in the 20 June 2011 Dili Marathon or the September 12-17 2011 Tour de Timor (www.tourdetimor.com) has been an inspirational point for the two runners. Mr. Abbott was very grateful for the attention given to him by the two runners and promised to do his best to make it over for one of the two events.
Mr. Arbib was equally supportive offering enhanced engagement between the two sporting nations which is sure to see Timor-Leste’s future as a competitive sporting country continue to rise and rise.
Spurred on by various friends of Timor in Australia and the East Timor Action Network in New York, both Augusto Ramos Soares is set on giving his best performance to date. Having run in Laos, Darwin and East Timor, he is now keen to consolidate his record of 2h30 minute marathons and push below the mark. He has the expectations of the country on his shoulders and it suits him fine.
Asked why he runs: for money, for fame, for love of the sport, he chose a different answer. “My country” he told me, is why he runs. The 5AM daily starts, resisting the urge to drink carbonated beverages (and certainly not alcohol), his country’s beloved Aimanas Timor (an especially hot variant of chilli) and any other unhealthy foods would surely take a toll on most 24 year olds.
Not Augusto though. He is only too happy to give up all of these things in order to attain his goals. And increasingly he now has competition. The amazing success of the first Dili Marathon this year has inspired many other Timorese youth to join Augusto in his training regime.
Augusto has certainly reaped the benefits, being offered today to begin the race in the sub-elite category, reserved for those who have completed a marathon in under 2h35minutes. He is certainly now in striking distance of attaining elite status and perhaps even his country’s first ever medal at the Olympic Games in 2012.
Augusto noted that his appreciation of the training that he had undergone with coach Sr. Antonio, and veteran running mate Agueda Amaral.
“I’m feeling really good” said Augusto, “it is only really the climate that is challenging for us, because it is not the same as home”
“It is good that the climate in Australia is not so different to New York”
“I am going as a representative to the New York City Marathon on behalf of my nation. This can show the world, that Timor is a nation that lives in peace”
“I’m not nervous, I’m really happy. This is the first time I’ve been to a nation as big as this.
“I can be like a bridge, I can provide motivation for other athletes. But my Timorese friends, the Timorese children, show them the path so that they can improve and succeed through training and dedication.
Stay tuned for tonight’s update on Augusto and Agueda’s results and feelings on the race.
Follow the progress of Augusto and Agueda at www.dilimarathon.com
Email contact: media@tourdetimor.com
