News & Updates

Athletics NZ, in consultation with the Local Organising Committee, has made the decision to postpone the New Zealand Road Race Championships, which were originally scheduled for Sunday 5 September at Mystery Creek in Hamilton.

Due to the Government-imposed COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown and the fact that those restrictions are unlikely to be lifted nationally before 5 September, the NZ Road Race Championships have been rescheduled to Sunday 7 November. Having learned from past experiences, Athletics NZ decided to move quickly and definitively to provide clarity to our members.

There are a number of significant competitions through October and November, and we acknowledge that there is no ‘perfect’ reschedule date. However, given the weeks lost to COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions this is the best available timing without going too far into the track and field season.

The NZ Road Race Championships can only be held if the Waikato is at Alert Level 1. If the event can’t go ahead on the rescheduled date of 7 November, full refunds will be given to those who have entered. Likewise, those who entered the original date of 5 September and are unable to make the postponed date will be offered a full refund.

The Athletics NZ Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Connections Conference have also been postponed and will be held on Saturday 6 November.

The combined NZ Road Race Championships, Connections Conference and AGM is one of the highlights of the Athletics NZ calendar, providing a marque opportunity for athletes, coaches, and administrators to compete, spectate, learn, discuss and connect. Athletics NZ have therefore not taken the decision to postpone this event lightly and every effort is currently being made to ensure a safe and successful hosting.

If you have any queries regarding the postponed NZ Road Race Championships, please email competitions@athletics.org.nz.

For further details on the measures that we need to follow under Alert Level 4, please visit the New Zealand Covid-19 Website.