News & Updates

24 August 2020 • Cross Country

Cross country event to go ahead

Following the government announcement that New Zealand will remain under its current alert levels until Monday 31 August, Athletics New Zealand can confirm that the event previously known as the 2020 New Zealand Cross Country Championships will go ahead in Dunedin on Saturday 29 August.

As some entrants will now be unable to take part due to the Auckland region remaining at Alert Level 3, the status of this event as a national championship has therefore been amended and it will be known for this year as the Athletics NZ Cross Country Challenge.

Entry fees will be refunded for those participants unable to travel due to the Alert Level 3 restrictions, please email competitions@athletics.org.nz

While disappointed that Auckland-based entrants will no longer be able to take part, Athletics NZ CEO Peter Pfitzinger is pleased to still offer many of the country’s most talented cross-country runners the chance to compete against their counterparts from other regions in a safe environment.

“After consultation with our regional centres and the local organising committee, Athletics NZ has not taken the decision to amend the status of this event lightly,” he says.

“We do, however, wish to give those who are still able to compete the chance to do so safely and, with many talented runners based in other parts of New Zealand, we are sure the standard of racing will be of high quality.”

The well-being of all participants and spectators is a key priority in regards to this event and a comprehensive health and safety plan has therefore been put together.

The plan includes many measures that will be taken to ensure the Athletics NZ Cross Country Challenge can be hosted safely, including restricting the fields for each race and carefully managing the number of spectators.

Contact tracing, good hygiene practices and physical distancing measures will also be actioned.

As a result of the previous uncertainty around this event, the closing date for entries has been extended to 11.59pm on Wednesday 26 August.

To register for the Athletics NZ Cross Country Challenge please click here

For detailed information from Athletics NZ on general athletics activity under different alert levels please click here