News & Updates

New Zealand 100m sensation Zoe Hobbs is relishing the prospect of competing at home when she takes to the track for the Sir Graeme Douglas International presented by Harcourts Cooper & Co at Trusts Arena in West Auckland on Thursday (16 March) following her eye-popping 10.97 Oceania record performance in Sydney on Saturday. 

Her jaw-dropping display in Australia reaffirmed her showing on her seasonal debut at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships when she chipped 0.01 from her Oceania record to run 11.07 in the heats before blitzing to a mind-blowing 10.89 – which was over the allowable windspeed limit for record purposes.  

There is a little doubt that for the Taranaki-raised, Auckland-based sprinter is now in another realm – and as a sub-11-second 100m is truly world-class. Next, she takes to the track at Trusts Arena – where spectators will have the chance to watch this very special sprinting talent. 

“It will be cool to compete again on a home track in front of a home crowd having just run 10.97,” adds Hobbs, who finished sixth in the women’s 100m final at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. 

“It will be quite hard to back up that run just days later but it is always fun to compete at home. It will be great.”  

Hobbs, who has won the women’s 100m at the past three editions of the Sir Graeme Douglas International presented by Harcourts Cooper & Co, will compete in a loaded women’s 100m which features quality domestic and overseas talent.

Among her rivals include New Zealand 100m bronze medallist Brooke Somerfield as well as quality Australian sprinters; teenager Torrie Lewis, Bree Masters and Ella Connolly, who finished second to fourth behind Hobbs in Sydney and will be seeking to avenge that defeat. 

Hobbs is delighted at the quality of the opposition on show in Auckland and adds: “They are incredible girls, all of whom have been so supportive and certainly kept me on my toes this season. It is great to see that some of top Aussie girls come across the Tasman and to be up against such a top-quality field here in New Zealand is very exciting.”

Based in Auckland, where she is coached by James Mortimer, Zoe is excited that her family, partner and friends will all be in attendance on Thursday, and the Oceania women’s 100m record-holder hopes to see a sizeable and supportive crowd at Trusts Arena on Thursday.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen some very exciting performances by New Zealand athletes across a whole range of events. So, the Sir Graeme Douglas International is a great opportunity for fans to see these amazing athletes perform at a top-level international track and field meet.”

Buy tickets here

The livestream is available from 4.25pm on Thursday here

Updated entry lists and lane draws here

Timetable here