Four inches equals 6,800 miles.

That’s track and field mathematics, or at least it’s the equation foremost in Keelin Godsey’s mind these days.

Godsey, a 2006 graduate of Bates College, is on the cusp of qualifying for the IAAF track and field world championships in Daegu, South Korea.

With a personal record hammer throw of 226 feet (68.90 meters) at the U.S. national championships June 25, Godsey moved within 10 centimeters of the women’s world qualifying threshold.

“I was very happy with it,“ Godsey said. “It was my personal best throw, and I got third place.”

Godsey hit the milestone on the first of six throws in the finals.

That mark held the provisional lead until the third round, when eventual gold medalist Jessica Cosby threw 234 feet.

Amber Campbell took the silver. Godsey fell just shy of 220 feet on two additional late throws.

“It felt good. I wasn’t expecting it to be as far as it was,” Godsey said. “I was hoping to have another big one, but I didn’t quite get there.”

Time now is of the essence.

The world games begin August 27. Throwers have until August 8 to meet the qualifying standard.

Godsey presently has plans to compete only one more time, on July 17 in Rhode Island.

“It’s mostly on me technically. I’ve got some things I have to work on,” Godsey said. “A lot of it is about how my body responds. I hope I can get it.”

At a school renowned for its championship throwers, Godsey was arguably one of Bates’ two or three best of all time.

The Colorado native won 16 All-American honors and two NCAA hammer throw championships. Godsey also holds the all-time Division III record in hammer.

Now living in North Adams, Mass., and working as a physical therapist, Godsey has settled into the challenging life of an unattached, post-graduate thrower.

Rather than balancing five or six classes and regular, supervised practices and meets, the Monday-through-Friday work schedule takes precedence.

“I don’t think it’s harder for me (to keep the competitive fire), because I’ve always been the type to want to push myself and be the best I can be,” Godsey said. “The hardest part is having to work and just finding the time. I make an effort every day to do something. When you’re not in college, it’s harder to find times and places to do it.”

Godsey now works out and is a part-time volunteer coach at Williams College — one of Bates’ NESCAC rivals.

A protégé of late, great throwing instructor Joe Woodhead, Godsey gets guidance from Williams coach Fletcher Brooks.

“With Coach Brooks, I still have that (coaching),“ Godsey said. “But everything else is harder than when you’re a college student.”

Prior to nationals, Godsey entered meets at Brown and Tufts as well as the USATF New England championships.

“I try to do three or four meets a year before nationals,” Godsey said. “I stay in the New England area as much as possible.”

Korea is far from Western Massachusetts. So is London, site of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

That date has been circled on Godsey’s calendar ever since Bates graduation.

“This Olympic cycle has been my goal since the beginning,” Godsey said. “First I’ll try to get to worlds, but whether I make it or not, I’ll start right off preparing for the Olympic trials.”

[email protected]

Bates weight thrower Keelin Godsey talks about technique with Bates throwing coach Joe Woodhead in 2006.