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PPAC-128 PPAC Athletics Challenge [24 March 2024]

The PPAC Athletics Challenge is a brand new event designed to test athletes' athleticism - everything speed, strength and agility, and more! We designed a fun competition-based format to let athletes showcase their abilities!

The race report and full results are below. See you soon for more fun training sessions and athletics events and challenges!

Results
The PPAC Athletics Challenge was made up of three short events: 40-Yard Dash, 5 Bound Boost and the Agility Hustle, designed to challenge a range of physical abilities and skills required for success in athletics and sport in general. Each event took around 30 minutes, including warmups, rest and briefings from event coordinator Meyjou Heng.
Athletes were grouped by category – U18/Senior and Male/Female. Points were awarded for each event based on category finishing position (1 point for first place, 2 for second place, etc.) with the the overall winner being the athlete scoring the lowest points total over the three events.
There were impressive performances all round, and considering this was a first attempt at many of these challenges for most of the athletes, a fantastic effort from everyone who dashed, bounded and hustled 👏. 

40-Yard Dash
A staple of fitness and performance testing in American Football, and the first event of the PPAC Athletics Challenge, the 40-yard dash is a test of acceleration (explosive power) and sprinting technique. Traditionally run on the grass playing field, we moved it to the track and had up to four athletes line up at a time to take on this challenge. From a static start, the athlete must accelerate as quickly as possible and aim to cross the line in the fastest time – with just 36.6m in which to hit top speed.

To put some perspective on our athletes' performances, top US college football players are hitting anywhere from around 4.50 to 5.25 seconds, in what is one of the world's most competitive and physically exacting sporting theatres.

5 Bound Boost (5 double-leg bounds)
From a standing start the athlete will aim to travel the maximum distance in a straight line with five consecutive double-legged bounds. A great test of speed-strength – an ideal jumping technique will make full use of arms and upper body as well as the legs.
Athletes were each allowed two attempts at this challenge with the best distance achieved counting towards their final result.

What is a great performance for a 5 double-leg bound? For reference, the table below shows a range of typical figures for US college athletes (Division I and II) showing average to elite performance levels:

Male Female
Average Good Elite Average Good Elite
12.0-12.5 12.5-13.6 13.6-15.3 8.4-10.1 10.1-11.7 11.7-13.9

Agility Hustle
In the final event of the challenge, athletes were invited to take on an agility course that would test their turning speed with two 10m shuttle runs, and quickness of lateral movement by running twice through a zig-zag course of eight cones. With athletes covering a total of 60m to complete the course, this would also be a stern test of endurance.
With a 2s time penalty for any mistakes, Sokunvireathboth was unluckily penalised for missing the final cone of the zig-zag skill course, putting him 2nd in his category.

Overall Results
It was a great effort for all the athletes, as everyone who started was able to complete the first PPAC Athletics Challenge! There were impressive performances across the board

With continued practice, dedicated training and experience athletes will improve on all their athletics skills from coordination and agility to speed and power!

Volunteers & Supporters
A special thanks as always to our volunteer officials and helpers on the morning including designing the competition and preparing and setting up the various events, demonstrations and performance tips: Meyjou, Jack, Sokung, Neil, Seavleang, Kimkheang, Sivmuyleng, as well as assistance from all the participants and club regulars.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all the runners and supporters who made this track & field athletics event a success and whose support allows PPAC to continue to organise community athletics activities for all.

Phnom Penh Athletics Club is a community-oriented club with the vision of contributing to the development of grassroots athletics and access to sport for all in Cambodia. We welcome community-minded runners, coaches and parents (including non-runners/sportspeople) to get involved and we appreciate your feedback. We look forward to seeing you all next time!

Keep on track of our schedule of 🏃💪⏱ training sessions, 🏁 🏅races and more fun activities 👟🎽 on our Telegram channel!

Connect with us via the following ⬇️

© PPAC 2024

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