News & Updates

One of New Zealand’s most enduring one-day meets – the Potts Track & Field Classic in Hastings – toasts its 25^th anniversary edition on Saturday (20 Jan). We preview the best of the action at Mitre 10 Park as the domestic track and field season picks up pace on the road to its conclusion at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships in Wellington (14-17 March).

Event Background

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary edition the Potts Track & Field Classic – named in honour of middle-distance star and Mexico City Olympian Sylvia Potts and also recognising her husband, Allan – Saturday’s meet promises to add to the rich heritage of the event.

The 2024 event has attracted no less than 276 entries – just eight shy of the record number from the 2023 event and once again retains its status as one of New Zealand premier one-day meets.

Drawing athletes from Australia, Cameroon, England, France, Japan and the USA, the 2024 Potts Classic has a genuine international flavour as athletes battle for glory at the popular Hastings venue.

Honouring the feats of Sylvia, the feature event is the Sylvia Potts women’s memorial 800m – which always climaxes the programme proceeded by the Allan Potts men’s memorial 800m.

Who will be competing?

New Zealand sprint superstar Zoe Hobbs will aim to extend her outstanding record at the meet. The Oceania 100m record-holder, who reached the 2023 World Championships semi-finals, claimed six successive women’s 100m at the Potts from 2017 highlighted by a then New Zealand record mark of 11.21 in 2022. Choosing to make her debut appearance for 2024 in Hastings is a real coup for the event and she faces strong opposition in the shape of Australian Bree Masters, an 11.23 performer at her best, and Georgia Hulls, a two-time World Championship representative in the 200m. New Zealand 200m record-holder Rosie Elliott is also entered.

National 400m hurdles record-holder Portia Bing competes in the flat 400m, seeking to approach her PB of 52.78 set when winning at this meeting two years ago. Izzy Neal and Camryn Smart are among her chief opposition.

Also in women’s sprinting action is 2023 World Para 200m champion and 100m silver medallist Danielle Aitchison. Looking to build up her preparations for the Paris Paralympic Games, the Waikato based T36 sprinter is entered in both the 100m and 200m.

In the showcase Sylvia Potts Memorial 800m, Hawke’s Bay-raised and 2022 national champion Holly Manning leads the entries.

In the field, Lauren Bruce will be one of the star turns taking to the women’s hammer circle. The New Zealand athlete enjoys the venue having set an Oceania record mark – since surpassed – of 73.47m in 2020 and has achieved three of her best six marks at Mitre10 Park.

The women’s field events have a strong international feel with Nora Monie of Cameroon (58.05m) and Misaka Morota (4.48m) heading the entries in the discus and pole vault respectively. Five-time national long jump champion Mariah Ririnui will start among the favourites in a competitive women’s long jump.

The 800m will provide the highlight of the men’s programme as James Preston bids for a fourth successive victory and fifth in total in the Allan Potts Memorial race. Preston, a New Zealand representative at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, will be paced through the first 600m by 3:31 1500m runner Sam Tanner and Preston has requested a first lap time of 50.5 seconds. Emerging 800m talents James Ford and Thomas Cowan, who recently achieved the 2024 World U20 Athletics Championships performance standard for the event, are also entered.

In the sprints, 2023 World Para Athletics Championships 200m T64 bronze medallist Mitch Joynt is entered in both the 100m and 200m and reigning national senior 400m gold medallist Lex Revell-Lewis is among the chief entries in the one-lap race.

In the field New Zealand record-holder Connor Bell – another to have previously excelled at Mitre10 Park – will take to the discus circle. Last year Bell set his national record mark of 66.14m – which he later surpassed – at the Pre-Potts meeting here in Hastings and will be once again looking to make his mark in the Hawke’s Bay.

National champion Anthony Nobilo (68.95m) faces a strong challenge from Australian Timothy Heyes (68.31m) in a competitive men’s hammer while England’s Charlie Myers (5.71m) leads the challengers in the men’s pole vault. Nick Palmer (19.42m) will start favourite in the men’s shot. Three-time national senior medallist Lewis Arthur with a PB of 7.37m will be the athlete to beat in the men’s long jump.

The men’s and women’s U20 Mile Championships will also be on the line.

Entries here

Where can I follow the action?

A full livestream of the event will be available from 4.30pm go here

Meet results are via the Roster App. Download details here