News & Updates

We have so much to look forward to in what is set to be a bumper year of athletics in 2024. Here are ten reasons to get very excited about the year ahead.

1 – World Athletics Indoor Championships – Glasgow – Friday-Sunday 1-3 March

The first global championship of what is set to be a monster year of international competition promises so much. New Zealand are expected to send a largest ever team to a World Indoor Championships, so expect the Kiwi challenge to be significant in Scotland as the team step up their preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.

2 – Sir Graeme Douglas International presented by Harcourts Cooper & Co – Auckland – Sunday 10 March

One of the highlights of the domestic track and field season should once again serve up a dizzying few hours of track and field action. The World Continental Tour Bronze meet is a great opportunity to pit New Zealand’s leading athletes against a strong overseas contingent and the 2024 edition at the Trusts Stadium in West Auckland is shaping up to once again deliver. Last year highlights included Jacko Gill winning a world-class men’s shot with his first 22m throw and Zoe Hobbs blasting to a New Zealand resident record in the women’s 100m.

3 – Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships – Wellington – Thursday-Sunday 14-17 March

The pinnacle of the domestic track and field season will serve up four mouthwatering days of action at Newtown Park. With titles on the line for open, Para, U20, U18 and U16 athletes expect the competition to be intense with the event representing the last chance to see our Olympic and Paralympic stars on home soil before they head overseas. The venue staged the 2023 edition highlighted by Zoe Hobbs setting a national women’s 100m record of 11.07 in the heats followed by a jaw-dropping wind-aided 10.89 in the final.

4 – Diamond League – Various – Apr 20 – Sept 14

Never before have a greater range of New Zealand athletes shone as brightly on the Diamond League stage as in 2023 and more of the same is expected in 2024. With eight to ten athletes regularly gaining invites for the world’s premier one-day circuit, the strength in depth of New Zealand athletes operating in a full range of events has never been so strong – a point illustrated by Tom Walsh, Tori Peeters and George Beamish, who all gained podium spots at the season-ending Diamond League final.  

5 – Rotorua Marathon – Friday-Saturday May 3-4

The 60^th anniversary of New Zealand’s most iconic marathon will put all the stops to provide a never to be forgotten landmark edition. Besides the full marathon, which covers the lap of the lake, a new, exciting half marathon course for the Red Stag sponsored event will provide an added appeal while the Go Media 10km and First Credit Union 5.5km will provide a broad suite of attractive alternatives. The brand new Lakefront Mile on Friday May 3 and the Runway 5 – staged under lights at Rotorua Airport – will provide an added dimension to the marathon weekend.

6 – Para Athletics World Championships – Kobe, Japan – 17-25 May

Our elite Para athletes have a unique opportunity to compete at two global championship events in 2024 led by Kobe in May. Playing catch up from the Covid years, the 2024 Para Athletics World Championships provide a great opportunity for our key New Zealand performers to step up their preparations for the Paris Paralympics while also providing qualification opportunities for the big dance in the French capital. New Zealand excelled at the most recent edition of the Para Athletics World Championships in Paris last July harvesting nine medals.

7 – Olympic Games – Paris – 26 July -11 August

The highlight of the year or indeed any four-year athletics cycle will be focused on the French capital as New Zealand’s finest chase history on the biggest stage. Genuine medal candidates will not be in short supply as Tom Walsh aims for a third successive Olympic medal in the shot put. Other podium challengers include pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, the Rio Olympic bronze medallist, high jumper Hamish Kerr and 2023 World Championship steeplechase fifth place finisher George Beamish. Let the Games begin!

8 -Mission Estate Winery New Zealand Cross Country and Relays Championships – Napier – Saturday-Sunday 3-4 August

The pinnacle event of the winter domestic season heads to the iconic Mission Estate, which should provide a very special edition of the historic championships. With a reputation for staging major events, the birthplace of New Zealand wine will provide a unique experience for athletics, supporters and spectators as our endurance elite chase cross country honours both individually and as part of the team relays.

9 – Paralympic Games – Paris – 28 August – 8 September

Following on from the able-bodied athlete our Para elite will look to impress inside the Stade de France. After winning seven medals at the previous edition in Tokyo and collecting a nine-medal haul at the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships hopes will be high a team which will likely include Lisa Adams, Holly Robinson, Anna Grimaldi, Will Stedman, Danielle Aitchison and Mitch Joynt will once again excel on the biggest stage.

10 – New Zealand Road Relay Championships – Taupo – Saturday 28 September

The high-octane Taupo Motorsport Park is all set to host the dynamic and vibrant 2024 iteration of this eagerly anticipated annual event. This unique road relay experience will be run on an undulating closed circuit course at one of the country’s premier motorsport venues, providing an event like no other for athletes and spectators alike.