Milers Set to Chase National Glory at Cooks Classic

Cooks Gardens, the “Home of the Mile,” will once again take centre stage on Saturday at the PAK’nSAVE Cooks Classic, incorporating the New Zealand Mile Championships; Whanganui promises a night of thrilling racing. These prestigious events are not only Athletics New Zealand Championship races but also part of the World Athletics Continental Tour with Bronze status, resulting in a top-tier field of domestic and international athletes.
Tanner Seeks Milestone, Clifford Chases History
The men’s mile will see New Zealand’s middle-distance star, Sam Tanner, aiming for his third consecutive New Zealand title at Cooks Gardens. Already a four-time sub-4-minute miler on this historic track, Tanner is poised to move ahead of Sir John Walker and join Nick Willis as the only athletes to achieve the feat five times at this venue. With his 14 national titles and eight New Zealand age-group records to his name, Tanner looks to continue to etch his name into the history books.
The race has drawn over 40 entries, including Australia’s Jack Bruce, who boasts a 1500m best of 3:37.79—well under the sub-4 equivalent. Another exciting contender is Australian para-athlete Jarryd Clifford, the T12 world record holder for the 1500m (3:41.34). If Clifford can break the sub-4 barrier, he will become the first para-athlete to join the storied Cooks Gardens Roll of Honour, earning the commemorative cap reserved for those who achieve this iconic milestone.
A strong group of New Zealanders, including rising star Sam Ruthe, will also seek to make their mark. The 15-year-old phenom has already rewritten several national age-group records and is chasing an unofficial 15-year-old world-best.
Aussie Linden Hall Leads a Star-Studded Field
The women’s mile features an impressive lineup headlined by Australian Linden Hall, who enters with a mile personal best of 4:19. Hall, ranked 14th globally in the 1500m last year, is a clear favourite to threaten the stadium record of 4:30.27, set by fellow Australian Georgia Griffith in 2023.
Hall faces strong competition from American Taylor Werner, a former Pan American Under-20 champion with a mile best of 4:30.57, and fellow Australian Izzy Thornton-Bott, who has clocked 4:32.60. Japan’s Saki Katagihara adds an international flair to this highly competitive field.
Leading the New Zealand charge is Alison Andrews-Paul, the reigning national 1500m champion, who has a mile best of 4:37.86 set indoors in Seattle last year. Andrews-Paul will be eager to secure her first New Zealand mile title against such a high-calibre field. Last year’s duo of Laura Nagel and Becky Aitkenhead are not set to race at the Cooks Classic this year, leaving the podium wide open for our top Kiwi athletes.
Where to Watch
The electric atmosphere of the mile at Cooks Gardens is something every sporting fan should experience. Grab your spectator tickets now and head along on Saturday evening for all the energy of the Summer Circuit in Whanganui! Purchase here!
Watch LIVE and for free online on the Athletics New Zealand Youtube Channel.
Watch LIVE and direct to your TV on Sky Sport 7 starting from 7 PM, 25 January.