
The highly anticipated 2024 NZ Road 10km and Walks Championships will take place at the growing Timaru Ten in Timaru, set against the picturesque backdrop of Levels Raceway.
Known for its fast, flat course, this event promises another thrilling contest as athletes chase national titles and recreational runners seek personal bests. This is the first time the national road champs has been run as incorporated in with a wider event, paving the way for a wide range of future racing opportunities.
Timaru’s flat layout is ideal for those aiming to push the pace, and with the supportive crowd and a legendary post-race spread, the atmosphere is always worth the trip to Timaru. Whether you’re an elite competitor or a first-time runner, the Timaru Ten offers a unique experience that blends competition with community spirit.
In 2024 Athletics NZ are hosting club, and centre based teams competitions at the 10km Road Champs. Bringing an extra element of racing and camaraderie to the event. These championships will be held across all grades and distances!
Senior Women’s
In the senior women’s race, the competition promises to be fierce, with several top athletes lining up for a shot at the title. The gold and silver medals should be a hard fought battle between Auckland based training partners Brigid Dennehy and Laura Nagel, both of North Harbour Bays Athletics. Dennehy has a sharp 10k PB of 34:06 from September in Melbourne, and is the 2024 National 5000m Champion. She’s proved to be somewhat of a revelation this year having break through performances across a raft of distances. Nagel will make it a tough race from start to finish with her 10km PB in need of a rewrite. The 2024 Mile, 5000m and Road Mile National Champion boasts a 15:35 5000m PB.
Katrina Andrew of the Night Ninjas will be hot on the heels the two Bays athletes from the start. The 2024 National Cross Country silver medallist holds a 10km PB of 35:20 and will be looking to dip under the 35minute mark in her quest for a national medal.
Hoping for an upset will be Eva Pringle of the Whippets Running Project. The 2024 3000m Steeple Chase National Champion holds a 5000m PB of 16:29 and is a dark horse for the medals. The flat, fast course in Timaru presents an ideal setting for strong times, and the national championship stakes will bring out their very best!
Senior Men’s
The senior men’s race will showcase some of New Zealand’s finest distance runners, all aiming to add their names to the list of national champions. An impressively deep field has assembled with Oli Chignell of Hill City University leading the pack on paper with a 10000m PB of 27:52 from the Night of 10k PBs (UK) in 2022. The 2023 World XC Rep and 2023 track 10000m gold medalist will be setting his sights on notching up another national title.
He won’t have it all his own way, with two time Olympian, Sam Tanner of Athletics Tauranga, throwing his hat in the ring. With a track 5000m PB of 13:32 and his trademark flying kick, you won’t want to be leaving it to a last 400m burn up.
Fresh off a close fought win at the NZ Road Relay championships, a trio from the Whippets Running Project are looking to bring their trademark pink and black on to the podium. 2024 National 5000m Champion, William Little, had a strong display over the long leg in Taupo and brings a 10000m PB of 29:14 from December at the Zatopek:10. Connor Melton claimed the 2024 National Cross Country title in July and will be in the mix from the gun. Completing the trio of Whippets is Ronan Lee. The 2023 10k Road silver medallist will be hoping for a repeat of last year to find himself on the podium.
Rounding out the major threats is University of Canterbury’s Taonga Mbambo. Having recently returned from scholarship in the USA at Lasalle College where he competed in the NCAA, this will be Mbambo’s first individual race back on NZ soil. He went toe to toe with Little over the long leg in Taupo, so will be a dangerous man to have on the start line.
The field continues with a raft of athletes with PBs in 30-32minute range who could all cause an upset. With the fast course and the prospect of perfect racing conditions, the battle for the title is expected to be intense, as athletes aim for national glory and personal bests.
Under 20s
It should be a hotly contested race between Kate Currie of Christchurch Avon, Catherine Lund of Ariki Athletics and Kimberley Iversen of Leigh Harriers in the Women’s U20 10km. Pai Wynyard of Papanui Toc H looks to stand alone in the Men’s U20 10km as the sole favourite.
Walks
Senior 10km Race Walk
In the senior women’s race, Laura Langley of North Canterbury Athletics Club and Arnika Nelson of Palmerston North Athletics and Harrier Club battling for the win. Reigning NZ champion, Langley, is hoping to better her PB of 46:34. Nelson is excited to return after a three-month training stint in Ireland and change in coach (Jamie Costin) following World Team Championships.
The senior men’s 10km title is expected to be fought for by NZ 10000m champion Lucas Martin of Wanawatu Wanganui, and Alex Brown of Caversham Athletics Club. Martin boasts a PB of 46:10 obtained at NZ Track and Field Champs 2023. After an “unideal” lead into World Teams Champs, Brown is hoping that his consistency in training these past five months will bring some rewards and will challenge Martin for the senior title.
U20 10km Race Walk
Jonah Cropp of Sumner Running Club is expected to show great form and dominance in the U20 10km race after his fresh return from World U20 Championships in Peru, where he placed 31st in 43:58. Cropp will have World Team Champs teammate Toby O’Rorke of Egmont Athletics Club to contend with. O’Rorke’s has had impressive progression over the last 12 months, having improved his 10km PB by over three minutes to 47:04 in Türkiye.
Teams Competitions
Senior Men’s
After their success at the NZRR Championships, the formidable Whippets Running Project are heavy favourites for the team title. With the aforementioned Little, Lee, and Melton leading the charge for their three scoring runners, they are well supported by Tom Moulai, Jared Monk and Cameron Clark. The University of Canterbury team will make it a race right to the line with Ethan Smolej and Chris Dryden making up their team alongside Mbambo. Fielding Moa are looking sharp, with Andre Le Pine-Day, Benjamin Wall, and Isaac Murphy making up their team.
Senior Women’s
It will be a two way tussle between the home team Run Timaru and the Whippets Running Project. The locals are bringing the trio of Cass Hetherington, Courtney Bracefield, and Joy Courage to make up their scoring three. While the Whippets have Caitlin Bassett, Eva Pringle, Liberty Mcintyre-Reet, and Phoebe Carter scheduled to start in Timaru. The top three of the four will make up the team for the title!
Cover Image Credit: Hannah Nicholson