Jennian Homes NZ Track & Field Championships Off to a Strong Start in Dunedin

The 2025 Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships got underway at Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, with an exciting opening day bathed in the beautiful Dunedin sun! 

Chignell Claims Senior Men’s 5000m Crown

Local favourite Oliver Chignell (Otago) delivered a dominant performance to claim the national 5000m title, crossing the line in 13:55.77. Wellington’s Toby Gaulter (14:04.49) and Canterbury’s William Little (14:09.98) rounded out the podium after a tactical race that saw Chignell pull away in the closing laps.

“Brilliant, home track, home field, awesome. Can’t really ask for much more,” said a thrilled Chignell of his title. Chignell has set his sights on the national 10,000m record as a big goal for the year “My main goal this year is to break the NZ 10,000m record, it’s something that’s been in my sights for a number of years now.” The NZ record stands at 27.30.90 held by Jake Robertson from the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Chignell will look to race in Europe or the USA as he chases this record. Chignell will return on Saturday afternoon in the men’s 1500m heats. 

Nagel Takes Women’s 5000m Gold.

North Harbour Bays’ Laura Nagel ran a well-executed race, taking the senior women’s 5000m title in 16:27.38. Canterbury’s Eva Pringle (16:30.77) fought hard for second, while Brigid Dennehy (North Harbour Bays) secured bronze. Nagel was too strong for Pringle over the last lap. The two having pulled away from Dennehy over the closing stages. Nagel’s 1500m speed was on show as she flew home over the final 200m. 
Nagel said she had a good time out on the track today” It was a bit of fun to race with the U20s. Great to have them in there and to give them a chance to have some more championship racing experience”. Cool to run.” Looking ahead, Nagel’s sights are set on the September World Championships, “Japan is the biggest one this year. I’ve wanted to make a national senior team for the last couple of years, so that’s the main goal.”
Nagel had a strong start to the year at the Perth Track Classic last weekend over 1500m, “It was nice to run a 4.09 in Perth, given how I felt and how early in the year it is, it’s certainly exciting.”

Witt Leads Junior Men’s 5000m Battle.

Canterbury’s Harry Witt produced a personal best performance to secure the Under 20 Men’s 5000m title, crossing the line in 14:46.24. Auckland’s Redd Scampion (14:59.41, PB) followed in second, with Taranaki’s Nick Dobbie (15:01.22) rounding out the podium.

Currie Secures Junior Women’s 5000m Title.

Canterbury’s Kate Currie (16:48.29, PB) took out the Under 20 Women’s 5000m, with Southland’s Siena Mackley (16:52.79) not far behind. Auckland’s Sascha Letica (17:02.59) completed the podium in a competitive race that was combined with the Senior Women’s race. Letica took the early pace, putting a strong gap on the rest of the U20 field, however patient racing from Currie and Mackley saw Letica come back to them over the closing laps. 

Paralympians In Action on Day One 

In the Men’s Para 100m, WaiBOP’s Jaxon Woolley (11.91, 89.34%) narrowly held off Riverhead’s Mitchell Joynt (11.92, 89.01%) in a thrilling sprint finish, while Canterbury’s William Stedman (12.43, 94.29%) impressed with a high-percentage performance. Jaxon’s time was a new NZ 100m T38 record, eclipsing his own time set at the 2024 Night of 5s in Auckland.

In the Women’s Para 100m, Amy Ellis (Athletics Taranaki) took the win in 14.46 (1.5m/s), setting a personal best. Paddy Walsh (Athletics Auckland) finished second in 14.60, also a PB, while Kate Danaher (Athletics Auckland) claimed third in 15.83, securing a personal best as well.

Michael Whittaker (Whippets Running Project) claimed victory in the Para Men’s 5000m with a time of 15:32.66.

In the Men’s Open Para Discus, Canterbury’s Zack Lappin produced the best throw of the competition, launching 33.96m (56.84%). He held off Jack Adams (Hawke’s Bay Gisborne, 29.95m, 56.67%) in a tight contest, with Stephen Hills (Taranaki, 17.88m, 41.30%) completing the podium.

The Women’s Open Para Discus saw Sionann Murphy take top honours with a throw of 26.38m, ahead of Charli Gardiner-Hall and Milly Marshall Kirkwood.

View the full results from Day 1 on our live results portal.
Tune in tomorrow on our live stream for Finals Friday from 3 PM. Read more on how to watch here.