A serious accident 18 months ago spurred Charles Sturt University (CSU) fifth year veterinary science student Ms Emma Packer on to achieve her goal of running a marathon. And achieve she did. Ms Packer not only finished the Gold Coast Marathon in July but went on to be the first woman to complete the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Sunday 16 August. The CSU student broke her neck and elbow when she fell from a balcony in February 2008. “I was in a neck brace for months after the accident and when it was removed I found I couldn’t run to the end of the block,” said Ms Packer. “But I’ve built up steadily; to prepare for the marathon I ran up to 100 kilometres a week.” Originally from Cowra, Ms Packer was recently named one of the winners of the 2009 Professional Experience Scholarships. Read more here.