My Favourite – Karsen Vesty

One of the leading teenage middle-distance athletes in New Zealand has enjoyed a memorable year, grabbing national U20 1500m gold and earning selection for the World U20 Championships in Colombia. Here the 17-year-old Hastings AC athlete answers our My Favourite questions.  

Favourite athletics venue

My home track, the Hastings Sports Park Track. There is nothing better than training and racing at your home track.

Favourite piece of coaching advice 

My coach Richard Potts yelling at me to “just relax” during training and races. It’s so simple yet so effective. 

Favourite training session 

It is a brutal session, but I think I would have to say 600m hill reps.  

Favourite athlete of all time 

The current Olympic 1500m champion, Jacob Ingebrigtsen. 

Favourite competition you’ve ever watched 

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics. There was just so much action and so many great races. 

Favourite athletics website 

The ANZ rankings website.

Favourite school athletics memory 

I think it would have to be when we get a bunch of distance runners to run the 4×400 at the end of a meet. 

Favourite athletics roommate 

My training partner Lorcan Rabbitte, we have some great chats before races. 

Favourite pre-competition song 

Any song that hypes me up. 

Favourite pre-competition snack 

Chocolate and manuka honey One Square Meal bar. 

Favourite Other sport 

Orienteering, it’s great fun and it breaks up the running. 

Favourite YouTube video 

The 2021 Tokyo Olympic 1500m final.

Favourite day of the week 

Sunday, I love a good Sunday long run with the team. 

Favourite video game 

I don’t really play games, but I would have to say Mario Kart. 

Favourite animal 

Dogs, I have two of them. 

Favourite thing about New Zealand 

The beaches and just how easy it is to get out in nature. 

Favourite overseas country visited 

America, it’s just such a big country with so much to do. 

Favourite 80s Movie 

The Karate Kid. 

Favourite extracurricular activity

Orienteering.