Bays & UC Front Runners for 2024 Road Relay Championships

Taupo is Set for Action-Packed Road Relay Championships

This weekend, Taupo International Motorsport Park will transform into a battleground of speed, strategy, and team spirit as more than 140 teams race to claim victory at the 2024 New Zealand Road Relay Championships. In a departure from the traditional open-road relays, athletes will face off on a high-octane closed-circuit track, delivering non-stop energy until the final team crosses the checkered flag.

With varied lap lengths ranging from 4.66km to 10.14km for senior athletes, and legs as short as 2.29km for the under-12s, the championships have drawn teams of all ages and abilities to Taupo. Each squad will face its own unique set of challenges on the fast-paced motorsport track, adding an exciting new dynamic to the competition.

Senior Womens

Leading the charge in the senior women’s race is North Harbour Bays Athletics, who look set to continue their relay dominance. Their A-team, featuring Laura Nagel, Brigid Dennehy, Anneke Arlidge, Holly Manning, Jasmine Finney, Jess Wright, and Clara Lachurie, is packed with talent. Fresh off a stellar European track season, Nagel is in lifetime form and is hopeful of securing her team another relay title.

In 2023, the Bays women finished 1st and 2nd over the Loburn68 course in a stunning display of depth and teamwork. Their two teams finished only 40 seconds apart over the 68km relay—a testament to the strength of the club. Since 2020, the Bays women have won every title, making them the team to beat this weekend.

“NZ Road Relays is a special one for us Bays athletes, especially our senior women’s teams,” says Nagel. “It’s one of our favourite events of the year. We do have a winning history, and we’ll always want to continue that and put our ‘best feet’ forward on the day. We’d love to see two Bays teams on the podium again this weekend! Beyond that, it’s about the camaraderie and proudly wearing the black, gold, and green colours.”

Nagel acknowledges the unique nature of this year’s relays: “While this year’s event won’t be the traditional van-hopping experience we all know and love, I think it will allow teams to mix and mingle throughout the day—something we often don’t get to do. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend, and we’re excited to support every single Bays member competing.”

The race for the remaining podium spots will be fiercely contested. The Bays B-team, who finished within a minute of their A-team in 2023, will be in the hunt, as will the Whippets Running Project, led by 2024 national 3000m champion Tillie Hollyer. Wellington Harriers, boosted by the return of Tessa Hunt from Providence College in the USA, and Christchurch Avon also look set to field strong women’s teams.

But one thing is certain—success is never guaranteed in road relays, where every leg can shift the balance of power.

Senior Mens

In the senior men’s division, a full-strength University of Canterbury team is the frontrunner for the title. With an intimidating lineup of Ethan Smolej, Daniel Balchin, Andy Good, Oska Baynes, Taonga Mbambo, Chris Dryden, and Henry McMeeking, the 2022 champions are poised to reclaim the title after their second-place finish in 2023.

“I’m pumped to be back racing in New Zealand after five years of studying and competing in the US,” says Taonga Mbambo, returning after a successful stint in the NCAA system. “It’s exciting to reconnect with friends I haven’t seen in a long time. Team camaraderie is rare in competitive running, so being part of the vibrant culture here in Christchurch with UC is really cool. I look forward to seeing how the friendly rivalries between teams play out and being right in the thick of it all.”

Hot on their heels will be the Whippets Running Project, who claimed their first national title in 2023. Though missing some key athletes, they’ve proven over the years to be a force not to be underestimated.

Also in the mix are last year’s bronze medal winners, Fielding Moa, as well as a strong Victoria University of Wellington Athletics team, led by Eric Speakman. Athletics Tauranga, featuring Olympian Sam Tanner, are also expected to challenge for the podium.

Masters & Under 20s
The masters divisions will be equally competitive. In the women’s 35-49 category, Athletics Tauranga, Wellington Scottish, and Fielding Moa are all in contention for the title. Meanwhile, in the men’s 35-49 category, Pakuranga, Night Ninjas, Wellington Harriers, and Whippets will be battling for the medals.

Keep an eye out for ACA, Bays and Wellington Harriers in the U20 women’s race. Meanwhile Athletics Tauranga, ACA, Pakuranga and Wellington Harriers will battle it out in the U20 Men’s race.

With rivalries across all divisions and no shortage of talent, the 2024 Road Relay Championships promise to be a thrilling spectacle from start to finish. Racing kicks off at 8am on Saturday at the Taupo International Motorsport Park. Will the reigning champions hold on to their titles, or will new challengers emerge from the pack? We’ll find out soon enough.