News & Updates

An enhanced athlete and spectator experience is at the heart of the exciting timetable for the 2024 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships which takes place at Newtown Park in Wellington from 14-17 March.

The pinnacle event of the domestic season promises to build on the four day and four grade (senior, U20, U18 and U16) format which was successfully implemented at the venue for the successful 2023 edition which took earlier this year in March.

Among the exciting new initiatives set to feature will see the introduction of night sessions on the Thursday and Friday programme under the recently installed floodlights at Newtown Park. The later finishes will add to the atmosphere with the senior men’s and women’s 5000m finals providing a thrilling conclusion to the Thursday programme.

The 2024 programme has also allowed for greater spacing between events which will give athletes greater scope to double or compete in multiple events. The move should also enhance spectator viewing by allowing greater opportunities to follow more events rather than competition coming in large blocks. There are now three age grades for Para athletes – U17, U20 and senior.

The programme has also set out to reduce the number of races required to make finals, particularly among the sprinters with A and B finals – if 16 of more athletes entered – also introduced. The hope is the move will strengthen relay participation. 

Upgraded bathroom and changing rooms facilities at Newtown Park will also be welcomed by athletes and spectators.

Earlier this year, the 2023 edition of the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships provided a myriad of great memories. Among the many highlights included Zoe Hobbs setting an Oceania 100m record of 11.07 in the heats before running a stunning wind-aided 10.89 in the final, Jacko Gill defeating Tom Walsh to win his first national senior title in a titanic men’s shot competition and Eliza McCartney winning her first national senior pole vault title for six years.  

The 2024 event will be the last chance to see many or our stars athletes at home before they move offshore to step up their preparations for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Athletics NZ Competitions Manager Jason Cameron said: “We are excited by what we see as a more inclusive and compelling programme across what we expect will be four riveting days of action. Competing in double events has been enhanced across grades and we have pivoted away from grades across set days, which will all the younger athletes and their supporters the chance to rub shoulders with their heroes as they compete.”

Athletics Wellington General Manager and LOC head Tony Rogers said: “The night sessions will add to the atmosphere and vibrancy of the event and the timing of the key races has also been improved. The relays will form the climax to the competition on the Saturday and Sunday while local Wellington star James Preston, potentially in action in the senior men’s 800m final, will hopefully provide a rousing crescendo to the Friday competition.”

Entries will open the week beginning Monday 22 January. The final timed programme will be released the week commencing Monday 4 March.

To read the draft programme for the 2024 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships go here