NZ 3000m Championships Set to Headline the Andrew Spence Pharmacies Potts Classic

The Andrew Spence Pharmacies Potts Classic returns to Hastings with a stellar lineup, headlined by the New Zealand 3000m Championships.
This year’s edition promises high-stakes racing as the country’s best middle-distance runners battle for national titles. Alongside the 3000m showdowns, the women’s and men’s 800ms are set to be electric. In the shot put, Nick Palmer leads an exciting field. World U20 representative and U18 400m record holder Madeleine Waddell will line up against Izzy Neal over one lap. It’s set to be a dual of the Anthonys in the men’s hammer as Nobilo and Barmes go head to head.
Whether in the stands at Mitre 10 Park or watching from home, the Potts Classic will deliver unmissable athletics action.
The New Zealand men’s 3000m championship will feature an outstanding field, with multiple athletes vying for the top spot. Leading the charge is Oli Chignell, with a 7:52.79 best. After an impressive 10000m at the Zatopek:10 in Melbourne in December, Chignell is poised as one of the clear favourites to take the title.
David Lee (7:55.71 PB) will be hot on his heels after finishing in 3rd place in the NZ Mile Champs at the Cooks Classic on Saturday. He is also coming off an impressive run at the Zatopek:10 over 3000m. Toby Gualter (7:58.26 PB) is another man in the hunt. Having recently taken the nz 10000m title in Inglewood, he’s certainly got the engine to put him in the mix.
2024 NZ 5000m Champion and last year’s bronze medalist, William Little (7:59.64 PB), will be hoping to upgrade his placing in 2025. Meanwhile, Matthew Taylor (8:01.58 PB) and 15-year-old young gun Sam Ruthe (8:06.68 PB) will be eyeing podium spots. Ruthe has already rewritten the New Zealand age-group record books, and a strong showing here could further cement his status as a future star.
In the women’s 3000m, Laura Nagel, with an 8:59.00 PB, is the clear favourite. The experienced middle-distance specialist is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign and will be keen to add another national title to her resume. She also lines up in the women’s 800m at the end of the program.
Brigid Dennehy and Tillie Hollyer will challenge Nagel. Both have shown great form and could threaten for podium spots. Dennehy won the silver medal over the mile last weekend, and Hollyer followed in to claim the bronze. Eva Pringle, with a 9:30.00 PB, and Emily Roughan, with a 9:35.00 PB, will also be looking to make their presence felt in the front pack.
17-year-old Scarlett Robb (9:35.63 PB) has rapidly risen through the junior ranks. With several other young stars in the field, including Sascha Letica (9:42.07 PB) and Millie McFadzien (9:58.00 PB), this race could see a breakout performance from a future New Zealand distance star.
How to Watch
🏟 Where: Mitre 10 Park, Hastings
🎟 Tickets: Available at athleticsevents.co.nz
📺 Livestream: Watch live on Athletics NZ’s YouTube channel
📺 TV: Tune in live on Sky Sport 9 from 5PM