News & Updates

Laura Nagel claimed the senior women’s race at Long Bay Regional Park, her second win in the Auckland Grand Prix Cross Country Series (Photo: Michael Dawson)

New Zealand Competition Results

AUCKLAND
Auckland Grand Prix Cross Country #4, Long Bay Regional Park – 26 June 2021
Matthew Taylor scored a narrow two-second victory over Jono Jackson in the short annual cross country race at Long Bay.

Taylor, a former steeplechaser who finished second in the 2010 New Zealand secondary schools championship, was around the 4km in 12:15, edging out Jackson over the closing stages. Ronan Lee was third in 12:21, followed by Sam Walden in 12:26.

Laura Nagel notched up her second win in the series, taking out the senior women’s race in 13:46. Pakuranga winner Esther Keown was second in 13:50, and Rebecca Fogarty third in 14:32.

Simon Mace was the best of the masters in 12:57, and Michelle Hopkins was the fastest in 16:25 in the master women.

Ben Ruscoe headed in Sam Heyes in the under 20 4km in 12:36, and Ayub Sadikaa won the under 18 4km in 13:15.

Joanna Poland won the under 20 4km in 15:43. Stella Hammond, over the 2km course, won the under 18 in 6:57. Under 16 winners were Coen Anderson in 6:06 and Eryn Westlake 6:54.

CHRISTCHURCH
Holloway Cross Country, Motukarara Racecourse – 26 June 2021
Ayrton Shadbolt won the senior 10km in 34:31 from Mike Phillips 34:44 and Cameron Swales 34:45.

The 2020 national junior steeplechase champion Eva Pringle won the senior women 8km in 31:52. Anne McLeod was second in 32:02 and Jessica Schofield third in 32:04.

Under 20 6km Max Yanzick 19:43, Cameron Clark 19:49 and Chanel Muir 19:54. Under 18 4km Theo Walker and Luca Borcoskie, both timed at 13:59. Georgia Waghorn under 20 4km 17:51, Maddie Sharpe under 18 4km 16:51.

Jo Ramsay was the best of the master women over 6km in 27:07. Master men 10km Vajin Armstrong 35:49, Nicolas Browne 36:15, Dave King 36:20. 3km under 16 Daniel Prescott 9:50 and Elspeth McGuinness 11:02, under 14 Otto Church 10:40 and Amelia Henstock 12:00.

DUNEDIN
Edmond Cup Cross Country Races, Wingatui Racecourse, Mosgiel – 26 June 2021
2018 national cross country champion Oli Chignell was a convincing winner of the 5km in 15:07, beating former national road champion Daniel Balchin by 43 seconds. Oliver O’Sullivan was third in 16:08.

Sophie Hicks won the women’s 5km in 19:27, from Lydia Pattillo 21:22 and Laura Bungard 21:35.

Under 20 5km Grayson Westgate 17:37 and Megan Foster 20:40. Under 18 George Hamilton 16:51 and Zara Geddes 19:12. Master men Nic Bathgate17:25, master women Kristy Eyles 20:26.

International Results

USA
The McKenzie International, Blue River OR, 22 June: George Beamish 1500m 3:37.80 (4), Nick Willis 1500m 3:38.77 (5), Julian Oakley 1500m 3:38.82 PB (6). Matt Baxter 5000m 13:44.24 (3).

Western States Endurance Run, Olympic Valley to Auburn California, 26/27 June: New Zealand trail running sensation Ruth Croft has run more than 17 hours to the podium in a stunning debut at one of the world’s most-competitive ultra-marathons.

In her first attempt at the 100-mile (161km) distance, more than 60km further than she has ever raced, Croft was the second female home and ninth runner overall at the Western States Endurance Run, in California.

Her time of 17:33:48 was one of the fastest women’s times in the storied event, which began in the 1970s as man-versus-horse race and is now considered one of the great trail ultras in the world.

GERMANY
True Athletics Classics, Stadion Manforter, Leverkusen, 27 June: Zoe Hobbs 100m 11.50 +1.9 (3H2).

Road and Trail Races Around the Country

AUCKLAND
O’Hagan’s 5km, Viaduct Harbour, 22 June: David Atkinson 16:09, Keith Burrows 16:44, Adam Berry 16:58. Sophie Dunn 21:30, Nikki Kahn 21:31, Cara Gallagher 21:56.

Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 23 June: Mark Boyce 16:48, Greg Darbyshire 16:58, Mike Wanden 18:02. Anna Bramley 18:50, Kylie Brown 19:36.