Athletics: Smit set for national champs

Angie Smit has overcome early season health issues to be in top shape for this weekend's national athletics championships. Photo / Paul Taylor

Angie Smit has overcome early season health issues to be in top shape for this weekend's national athletics championships in Wellington.

She'll line up in her preferred 800m as well as the 1500m.

Smit will face Delhi Commonwealth Games double medallist Nikki Hamblin in both distances and London Olympian Lucy van Dalen in the longer race.

She says she wants to defend her 800m title, but has high hopes for the 1500m.

"I would love to be able to go and get that title again and then the 1500, try and get it there would be a bonus and do my best and try and crack my season's best as well.

"I ran 2:01 the other week in Canterbury so if I can get under that I'll be very happy.''

Smit, who already has the qualifying time in the 800 for the Games, says she's building towards Glasgow.

"Medal there really is the aim. I know it's a huge aim but I think it's possible. All the hard training, things are going really well at the moment for this domestic season. So I just hope I can step up again for the European season and really get onto that podium, would be incredible.''

She says it's great to have strong races on your doorstep.

"It's only going to help us. Obviously you still want to go overseas to race but to be able to have it in New Zealand as well is just incredible. Some of the top runners in the Commonwealth or in the world being in this country it's great to get that racing in New Zealand.''

The national champs start on Friday.