News & Updates

Dame Valerie Adams returns to action at the Potts Track and Field Classic (Photo: Mark Roberts)

New Zealand Competition Results

HASTINGS
Potts Track and Field Classic, Athletics New Zealand 3000m Championship, Mitre 10 Sports Park, Hawke’s Bay – 23 January 2021
A total of six meeting records were set at a thrilling evening of athletics, highlighted by a New Zealand resident and meeting discus throw record of 64.29m by 19-year-old Connor Bell.

The former Commonwealth Youth and Youth Olympic champion broke Ian Winchester’s 22-year-old record of 63.57m set in Hamilton. Bell’s series was 62.59m, 58.47m, 63.49m, 57.06m, 64.29m, 57.49m.

Bell was pleased to get the record under his belt.

“I’m really happy, it is still quite early on in the season, so to throw this big is really motivating going into the next couple of competitions. 

“The wind was good, I’ve been in shape this year and we were hoping for something big, and we got something big. I’m more than pleased,” said Bell.

His next target is the New Zealand national record of 65.03m and the Olympic qualifying distance of 66.00m.

“I’m hopeful of a big bomb in the next couple of competitions,” said Bell.

Savannah Scheen won the women’s discus with a throw of 53.73m.

Dame Valerie Adams started the year with a win in the shot with 18.34m. Maddison-Lee Wesche was second with 18.08m.

“It’s a good start and I’m happy with how it went,” said Adams.

“I just need to make that consistent because I think the first throw was great and then I just over compensated and tried to do too much instead of just keeping it simple.

“We took a few risks and after four months of being in Christchurch it was good and I’m looking forward to progressing now.

“It’s been pretty hectic living in two cities but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I’ve had a great time training with the boys, that makes a big difference.

“The family stayed in Auckland so I’m going back and forth which is a big ask, but it’s a choice that I’ve made.”

Tom Walsh was out to 20.78m in the men’s shot with Ryan Ballantyne securing a throw of 18.66m.

Walsh said it was an encouraging performance.

“First comp of the year. The first round was rubbish, the next was surprisingly good – I thought it went about 19 metres and it went 20.70 – and then the third round was really bad, just trying to push. One and three rounds were pushy and trying and then I was really happy with how I turned it around in the next three rounds with a bit more freedom and more time on the ball, and that’s what I wanted to do.

“They were really close to going a metre further if not more which is pretty good for this time of the year,” said Walsh.

Meanwhile Walsh’s arch rival, Olympic champion Ryan Crouser, set an indoor world record of 22.82m in Fayetteville USA on Saturday.
 
Kara Macdermid, second in the championship in 2019, won her first national title with an emphatic win in the women’s 3000m in 9:44.27. Susannah Lynch was second in 9:54.98 and Anneke Grogan third in 9:58.34.

“I was aiming to do a fast last 1500m. I went a bit faster early and then slowed down, but it was still pretty good I was really happy with the negative split,” said Macdermid.

“I’m doing the Cooks Classic mile next week which is more the distance I’ve been training for so I’m very excited about that, and then every other weekend until the nationals,” she added.
 
Sam Tanner used his signature finish sprint to win the senior men’s 3000m title. In one of the best fields assembled in New Zealand for some time, Tanner set the early pace before Eric Speakman and Hayden Wilde stepped up to maintain the pace.

Going into the last lap Tanner was away and, being chased by Speakman down the final straight, he went through in a meeting record of 7:54.16 to Speakman’s 7:54.69. George Beamish was third in 7:55.09.

Tanner said that the race went to plan.

“The plan was to set the boys to target a good time and I’m stoked that the first six broke eight minutes. I’m pleased for them as I know this is a race they’ve been targeting.

“Hopefully I can now get a sub four at the New Zealand mile champs, and run close to 3:52, 3:53, that will be the goal with good conditions,” said Tanner.

Speakman was likewise delighted with the outcome for the field of runners.

“Six of us going under eight is awesome. Conditions weren’t bad but they weren’t ideal either, there was enough of a breeze out there and you could see that the guys didn’t want to help out as there was just that little bit of wind.

“I wasn’t feeling that good today and I was looking for some help after Sam did that early part which was awesome and got us rolling, and I then took my turn and I was sort of like, come on, someone else have a lap,” he said.

He added that Tanner is the in-form runner at the moment.

“Sam’s in 3:36.00 shape and that’s another world. I closed it out in the 5k but today we were Vo2 on the edge the whole way, the legs were there and I challenged him around the bend and I thought I might have a shot here and I felt he didn’t pull away too much, but he’s just got those young legs at the moment.

“I’m now going to turn around and run the mile in Whanganui and hopefully I can add a second sub four to the list and prove that the first one wasn’t a fluke,” said Speakman.

Alana Barber went under the New Zealand records for the 20,000m track walk with her time of 1:37:45. However the time, which betters Linn Murphy’s 1993 time of 1:39:54, is subject to ratification as the 20,000m was combined with a mixed 10,000m track race.

Barber said that she was using the event as a time trial for the Oceania championships in Adelaide on 14 February.

“You get dizzy after a while, doing 50 laps. For the first 10k I did have the boys, Lucas Martin and Daniel Du Toit joined me and we kept changing leaders and that was quite nice. But I realised they weren’t doing the times that I wanted to be doing so I had to leave them and get into my own pace, and I felt quite comfortable doing that,” said Barber.

Rebekah Greene received the Sylvia Potts memorial trophy after winning the 22nd edition of the women’s 800m raced in memory of Sylvia. Greene will have her name engraved on the cup to join Demelza Murray, Nina Rillstone, Libby Allan (Australia) twice, Debbie Savage (Australia), Melissa Thomas, Kellie Palmer twice, Jacinda Swain twice, Angie Smit nine times and Katherine Camp twice.

Greene took the lead at the bell and went on to score a win over Katherine Camp in 2:07.39. Camp was closing in over the final stages but had to settle for second in 2:07.73. Camille Buscomb was third in 2:08.88 and Krystie Solomon ran a PB 2:10.58 for fourth.

“It is a bit of a surprise to win, but it’s pretty cool.,” said Greene.

“I was just waiting for Katherine to pass me really.

“It was a bit slower than I thought we would go through the first lap. I saw the time was a bit slow so I knew I had to go, as I knew Katherine and Camille would be coming up so I just went for it on the last lap and held on,” she added.

Camp said it was painful but she did enjoy it.

“I did let Rebekah get away too far, I thought that maybe she’d gone a bit too early, but she hung on and she ran a good race. I was catching her towards the end but I think both of our legs just fell off and I just couldn’t get her,” said Camp.
 
Tiaan Whelpton stamped his authority on the 100m with a personal best and meeting record of 10.37 -0.1 in the heats, signaling he was ready to take on the big guns in the final and that is what he did.

Whelpton had the measure of the field at half way and shot through to win in 10.47 -0.7 from Eddie Osei-Nketia 10.61 and Joseph Millar 10.79.

“I was stoked with the performance, I came to give it a good go and finally show people what I’m capable of,” said Whelpton.

“It’s a pretty scary thing to have Eddie on my heels. I’ve always been a good starter but the boys normally catch me towards the end. But I’ve put a lot of focus on my top-end speed in training and it looks like it’s worked. I’m super happy and grateful to be running the times I am.”

Zoe Hobbs was a clear winner of the women’s 100m, raced into a stiff head wind of -3.2 to clock 11.57. Georgia Hulls was second in 11.91 and Natasha Eady third in 11.92.
 
In a strange outcome, Julia Ratcliffe and Nicole Bradley did not advance to the final three throws in the women’s hammer after failing to secure a throw in the first three rounds. National record holder Lauren Bruce won, her best throw of 72.28m a meeting record coming in the final round.

“It was quite bizarre without the others in the last three rounds so I focused on my own competition, it would have been nice to have them continue through and have someone pushing me a bit but we got there it the end,” said Bruce.

“A big throw was on in all of the throws, I was really stable and expressed it in the last throw.

“I’m looking forward to throwing at Whanganui as it is my first time back there since secondary schools nationals in 2014.”
 
Personal bests were posted by the first three in the 400m; Rowan Blaikie 49.98, Kairon Pimm 50.10 and Bailey Cotton 50.17. Tayla Brunger won the women’s 400m in 57.24 from Holly Rule 57.24.

Olivia McTaggart matched her personal best of 4.50m in the pole vault and James Steyn cleared 5.15m.

The much anticipated return of Eliza McCartney to pole vault competition did not eventuate. Her warm-up was okay but she decided that she wasn’t completely ready, and that it wasn’t worth pushing it in the event.

Angus Lyver won the long jump with a wind assisted 6.93m, with a back-up legal personal best jump of 6.56m +1.8. He also had a PB of 11.06 -0.8 in the heats of the 100m. Mariah Ririnui continued her return to competition and form in the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.98m.

Other meeting records were achieved by Hamilton City Hawks athletes Cameron French in the 400m hurdles in 52.66, and Tori Peeters in the javelin throw with 56.25m.
 
James Preston was all class in the 800m winning in 1:48.67, Scott Thomson triple jumped 13.98m and Anna Thomson was out to 12.95m. Anthony Nobilo hammer throw of 59.05m and Liam Ngchok-Wulf PB of 55.40m with the 6kg hammer.
 
Pre-Potts Classic Pole Vault, Mitre 10 Sports Park, Hawke’s Bay – 19 January 2021
Imogen Ayris 4.15m, Joshua Woodhead 3.80m, Ethan Phillips 3.60m.
 
AUCKLAND
McKinnon Shield Meeting #7, Mt Smart Stadium – 23 January 2021
Joshua Hawkins 110m H 1.067m 13.79 +3.4. James Guthrie-Croft 60m 6.89 +3.9, 100m 10.69 +3.1. Jordan Bolland 60m 6.91, 100m 10.90. Dominic Overend 60m 7.04, 100m 11.01. Lex Revell-Lewis 60m 7.34, 100m 11.22. Dominic Devlin 400m 49.66, James Robertson 51.22. Harrison Porritt 1500m 4:13.14, Ronan Codyre 4:13.18. Stephen Thorpe LJ 6.61m +4.9 also 6.25m +1.3.

Marielle Venida 60m 7.70 +2.9, 100m 12.23 +3.2. Talia van Rooyen 100m 12.21 +3.2. Sophie Atkinson 400m 58.62. Charlotte Brown 1500m 4:58.64. Katelyn Quay-Chin 80m H 762mm 12.45 +2.1, LJ 5.00m +2.0. Antonia Martin 3000m RW 16:23.28 PB. Charlotte Goldsmith LJ 5.43m +7.2. Suzannah Kennelly SP 3kg 13.00m, DT 41.03m.
 
HAMILTON
Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty Meeting, Porritt Stadium – 23 January 2021
Mikael Starzynski 200m 22.97 +2.8. Conor McGiven 400m 52.44. Nathan Browne 100m H .838 15.36 -0.7, TJ 11.18m +1.5. Bradley Bidois 700g JT 48.42m. Sophie Hancock 200m 26.11 +1.1, 100m 12.94 +1.0, TJ 11.11m +2.5, also 11.02m +1.7. Aimee Ferguson 3000m steeplechase .762 11:10.70, 800m 2:28.96. Josie Taylor HJ 1.70m. Melelosaline Lose 3kg HT 41.80m. Stephanie Wrathall 600g JT 48.64m.
 
WELLINGTON
Mini Meeting, Newtown Park – 23 January 2021        
Ethan Mckenzie 100m 12.03 +1.3, 200m 24.43 +1.0. Zion Trigger Faitele 6kg SP 13.95m, 1.75kg DT 48.54m. Antonia Jamieson 3kg SP 11.75m, 3kg HT 39.24m. Nikora Wharehinga-Sime 5kg HT 40.69m.
 
CHRISTCHURCH
Athletics Canterbury Meeting, Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub – 23 January 2021
Amy Robertson 100m H 840mm 13.52 +2.5, 100m 11.90 +6.8. Jordyn Blake 100m 11.91, 200m 24.74 +5.3. Maia Broughton 100m 11.94. Daniel Roswell 800m 1:58.20. Hannah Maloney LJ 5.33m +2.9 also 5.29m +1.6. Levi Murdoch LJ 6.25m +4.5, HJ 1.88m PB. Eli Leifi LJ 6.20m +3.2 also 6.07m +1.6. Louis Andrews 400m H 914mm 55.55 PB. Cameron Clark 3000m 8:47.31. Jonah Cropp 3000m RW 14:17.06. Max Attwell DT 40.48m, SP 11.84m. Tapenisa Havea DT 44.16m, SP 4kg 14.18m.
 
DUNEDIN
Athletics Otago Meeting, Caledonian Ground – 23 January 2021
Tamsin Harvey 60m 7.96 +0.7, 100m 12.58 +1.4. Nathan MacDonell 60m 7.08 +2.0, 100m 11.15 +0.3. Cameron Moffitt 400m 51.63, Josh Hou 52.65. Dylan Forde 1500m 4:01.12, Jared Monk 4:02.83, William Scharpf 4:03.85. Alexander Brown 3000m RW 14:19.05. Tara McNally 100m H 840mm 15.80 +1.9. Cole Gibbons PV 3.60m. Sarah Langsbury LJ 5.11m +2.6. Jackson Rogers HJ 1.83m PB.
 
INVERCARGILL
Athletics Southland Twilight Meeting, Surrey Park – 22 January 2021
Quinn Hartley 60m 7.43 +2.0, 700g JT 41.39m PB, 1.5kg DT 33.42m PB. Jack Stalker 100m 11.70 +1.6, 200m 23.94 +2.6. Teagan Ashley 4kg HT 44.64m PB. Rico Fisher 1.5kg DT 41.70m, 700g JT 40.92m PB, 5kg SP 12.71m. Ashlynn Scherp DT 32.28m. Norman Tudor 800g JT 45.08m PB. Takunda Mabonga TJ 13.51m +2.1. Trent Hogg 6kg SP 14.79m.

International Results

USA
Orange Winter Classic, Clermont FL, 19 January: Nick Willis mile 3:58.63 (2) making him the longest running sub four minute miler, every year for the last 19 years. His first being in Notre Dame IN 3:58.15 February 2003. John Walker ran a sub four minute mile every year for 18 years from his first 3:58.80 in Victoria BC in July 1973 to his last 3:55.19 in Portsmouth NH in August 1990.

USA INDOORS
UCM Invite, Warrensburg MO, 22 January: Kayla Goodwin SP 11.75m PB (7).

Samford January Open, Birmingham AL, 22 January: Jack Elliott mile 4:14.71 PB (5).

Red Raider Invitation, Lubbock TX, 23 January: Ben Collerton LJ 6.77m (10), SP 12.56m PB (11).

Mike Lints Alumni Meeting, Allendale MI, 23 January: Toby Gualter 3000m 8:14.19 PB (3).
 
Gladstein Invitation, Bloomington IN, 23 January: James Uhlenberg 3000m 8:02.58 PB (3).
 
AUSTRALIA
AACT Combined Events, Woden Track Canberra, 16 January: Simon Rogers mile 4:12.64 (1).

Road and Trail Races Around the Country

AUCKLAND
O’Hagan’s 5km, Viaduct Harbour, 19 January: Tommy Hayes 16:57, Josh Nishitani 17:13, Keith Burrows 17:39. Skye Dick 20:14, Tia Knight 20:30, Christine Adamson 21:14.

Run Devonport, 24 January: 15km; Ewan Sinclair 52:23, Gene Rand 56:02, Paul White 56:04. Caroline Ede 1:09:35, Claire Kenyon 1:11:48, Victoria Stratton 1:12:25. 10km; Julian Ng 36:53, James Fisher 38:05, George Mawson 38:14. Katie Wyrill 40:06, Tracy McCartney 40:16. 5km; Mark Carryer 19:10, Nick Barrow 19:17, Taiga Kato 20:11. Kathleen Hart 21:08.

HAMILTON
Eastside Riverpath 5km, 19 January: Andrew Beggs 17:33, Harry Coles 18:07, Rhys Mildon 19:40.

TAURANGA
Bay Run 5km, 19 January: Rajpal Kunaal 17:04, Alice Mason 17:31 (women’s course record), Ian Pugh 17:53.

WELLINGTON
Trentham 5km Series, 19 January: Thomas Strawbridge 16:11, Joshua Jordan 18:18, Max Poland 18:33. Madison Wos 19:52 (women’s course record), Katie Jordan 20:08, Savannah Allen 22:40.

CHRISTCHURCH
Shoe Clinic Asics 5km Series, North Hagley Park, 19 January: Mark Bailey 15:50, Matt Dryden 16:10, Daniel Redmond 16:22. Hannah Oldroyd 17:35, Emma Molloy 19:08, Melanie Angland 19:12.