Vanessa Low knew the relaid AIS track was fast, but not even she expected to turnaround and see a world-record time on the clock.
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The Paralympic long-jump champion made a switch back to the track on Monday night to complete a mission which has taken her almost 10 years.
Low set a world record in the T61 100 metres sprint, stopping the clock at 14.95 seconds.
Low, whose legs were amputated after being struck by a train 14 years ago, has been targeting a sub 15-second run since she almost retired from athletics in 2012.
The only problem is she won't get to show the world what she's done at the Paralympic Games because her classification is not part of the sprint program in Tokyo.
"But it won't be like this forever. Maybe after my career it will be introduced," Low said.
"It's not just for me. I just believe every girl should have the option to run. To not have a single running event in my class at all means there's no one to look up to."
The good news about Low's record-setting run is it has given her confidence ahead of her bid to defend her long-jump title in Tokyo.
The 29-year-old was the first athlete to take serious advantage of the seriously quick track at the AIS, which was relaid at the end of last year.
The $2 million installation of the same blue Mondo surface to be used at the Olympic and Paralympics this year is expected to attract Australia's top athletes to the capital over the coming months.
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Low was hopeful of quick times and the track didn't disappointing, achieving a sprint goal former coach Roderick Green set her eight years ago.
"We decided this season to build some speed and endurance we were going to work on the basics for a good foundation," Low said.
"Monday night was just about having fun, being strong and when I saw the time, I couldn't believe it.
"It was my first 100 metres race in more than two years. I was really excited, and it's excited about what's to come. All of it seems to be coming together for my quite nicely."
Low became an Australian citizen last year and is married to fellow Paralympic champion Scott Reardon.
She trains under the watchful eye of Iryna Dvoskina in Canberra. She won gold in the T61-63 long jump classification at the world championships last year.
Now she hopes to transfer that success to Tokyo when she competes for Australia for the first time at a Parlaympics.
The 100 metres record was a perfect step along the journey after Green put the idea in her head.
"It's been a big dream of mine to go sub 15 seconds for almost 10 years, to have that to my name is special," Low said.
"I always thought I could run sub 15, but it all just game together.
"When I started this sport the world record was something like 16.1 seconds, which was crazy to think anyone would be able to go sub 15.
"I kind of retired after the 2012 Paralympics in London, thinking I wasn't quite good enough.
"Roderick talked me into trying it again and giving it my all. He was the first one to step in and say, 'this is what I think you're capable of, let's do it together'.
"There were injuries and everything along the way. Iryna picked me up where Roderick left me ... knowing there's more and she can enable me to run those times I'm capable of.
"The three of us made it possible, but it was a 10-year process. A lot of injuries, tears and doubts along the way. But it shows if you believe and you dream, it is possible."
Low is the second Canberra-based para-athlete to set a world record this week after Michael Roeger broke his own marathon record in Houston.
More records could tumble at the AIS when Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls converge for the Canberra Track Classic in February.
Entry numbers were expected to balloon for the event, with officials hoping for more than double the usual number of athletes.
Athletics ACT chief executive James Kaan hoped the quick track could see a 100 metre sprinter break the 10-second barrier for the first time in 16 years.
The Canberra Track Classic is part of a national series, with events in Melbourne and Perth before arriving at the institute.