Meet Hayden Small - 2020 Race Pace WYN republic Junior High Performance Squad

Hayden Small is the latest athlete to join the Race Pace Coaching Wyn Republic Junior High Performance Squad.  After his performance and 6th place in Race#1 of the Australian Junior Youth Series at the Gold Coast and several years of hard work and dedication, Hayden was invited to be a part of the RPWJHP Squad along with founding members Alexa, Chloe and Harry. 

Hayden competed in his first ever triathlon in Central Queensland at the age of 6 and then took up the sport more seriously when he joined Race Pace in 2014.  Hayden has always had a natural talent in long distance running and has competed in Distance Track & Field and Cross Country running events at a District, Regional, State and National level over the last few years. 

Hayden has committed to improving the other two legs of his triathlon over the last year in particular but his work in the pool and a new love of swimming has seen some of his greatest improvement recently. Whether it was a Kool Kids race a few years ago or Sprint Distance last month Hayden always gives 100% when he hits the start line. A ferocious competitor during the race but Hayden is always the first to shake a hand, congratulate his fellow athletes or deliver a much needed cup of water in recovery.

Hayden has a cheeky nature within the training group and thoroughly enjoys spending time with his fellow Race Pacers – from the youngest where he lends a hand and words of encouragement to the older athletes where he loves to step up to the challenge in training.  He especially loves the group Zwift rides, chasing Harry and Alexa on the pool early on a Tuesday morning and stepping up to the challenging runs on a Tuesday arvo with the crew.

Hayden says that one of the thing he likes most about Triathlon is the chance to meet new people, stay active, and build fitness for everyday life.  And his greatest accomplishment so far ….. “I can’t go past the 6th place at Super Sprint because it was against the best athletes in my age group from all across the country”.  Hayden also says he is very proud to have represented the Sunshine Coast nine times, and also his state of Queensland in both triathlon and cross-country. 

Hayden likes nothing more than refuelling up after a hard training session with either Mexican or Japanese.  Hayden has loved his couple of travel experiences too, visiting Japan last year and a few years ago, got to watch the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii where he got to see the Race Pace Wyn Republic JHPS Supporters Luke and Beth McKenzie on course.

Apart from wanting to keep enjoying his triathlon, Hayden also aspires to reach his full potential in his chosen sport- whatever that may be.  Right up there would be to one day represent his country at a World Champs and being part of a National Championship winning Queensland Triathlon Team.