Albury product Ellie Pashley (nee O'Kane) named in marathon for Olympics

Ellie Pashley (nee O'Kane) will make her Olympic debut in the marathon.

"I haven't really thought about it (what it means), it's something most kids probably dream about going to the Olympics and I certainly did, it's been a lot of hard work, particularly over the last five years, it's a real honour," the 32-year-old said from her home on Victoria's Surf Coast yesterday.

Pashley was raised in Albury and was a star netballer at North Albury, completing her physiotherapy studies at university before moving away.

Her last year at the Hoppers was 2010, the same time she picked up the first of her three wins in the region's most prestigious long distance running event, the Nail Can Hill (11.3kms).

"I think all of my time playing sport in Albury has helped my running," Pashley admitted.

"Playing netball and basketball and court sports for a lot of years has helped me be a little more resilient as far as injuries go, so I've been lucky that I haven't experienced a lot of that.

"Also, the importance of a team environment, my years of playing netball at North Albury was just so much fun, I loved it and we had a great group."

And while Pashley made a name in netball, she also started her running career on the Border.

"It was with Clive Vogel and his group and that was a really positive team environment, which made me realise that running can be a team sport as well, they were always very supportive," she added.

The Olympics were scheduled for last year, but were postponed due to COVID.

And while there still remains great uncertainty, outside the AOC fraternity, at least, Pashley has remained focused.

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"No matter what, if there was a chance it was going to happen, I would keep training."

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