News & Updates

Welcome to the first edition of the Weekly Round up for 2019, which includes:

New Zealand Track and Field meetings, including the Daikin Night of 5’s, North Island Colgate Games and Lovelock Classic
International results from the US, UK, China, Spain and Australia
Road and Trail race results from around the country
New Year Honours: Derek Williams
Obituary: Bill Baillie MNZM
2018 Track & Field News World Rankings
Upcoming events
AUCKLAND

Daikin Night of 5’s, AUT Millennium Stadium North Shore – 21 December 2018

Camille Buscomb chasing a world championships qualifying time of 15:22.00, produced an almost solo performance of 15:31.54 to win the women’s elite 5000m. Lydia O’Donnell provided the pace over the first 2k and then gave plenty of vocal support from the side lines as Buscomb churned out the remaining laps. Buscomb’s run comes just a week after finishing fifth in the Zatopek 10k in Melbourne in 32:28.37.

Buscomb, who has three previous victories at the annual meeting, said that she really enjoyed the race.“I felt really good, with Lydia pacing at a really comfortable pace and I just tried to run evenly basically the whole way that was my goal. I was aiming for between 15:20 and 15:30 and I’m happy to get pretty close to that. I didn’t know how I was going to pull up from the 10k but I felt good and relaxed and I really enjoyed it. “I’ve now got the Capital Classic and then a 5k in February in Australia,” she said.

Penny Peskett at 41 was second in a PB 16:29.89, which is under the New Zealand masters W40 record of 16:43.03 set by Mary O’Connor in 1996. 17 year old Hannah O’Connor was third in her debut over the 5000m distance on the track in 16:43.00. O’Connor, who won three titles at last month’s national schools championships, and will be taking up a four year scholarship at Boise State University next August, said it was strange having to run the extra distance.

“It was good to get a time and get a feel for the distance. It started to hurt after 3k because that’s my normal distance and I realised I still had 2k to go so it was pretty hard. “I’ll be doing most of the classic meets, the 3000m national champs and some other 1500m and good races,” said O’Connor.

Another 17 year old Kirstie Rae was fourth in 17:13.45.

Nick Willis was all class over the final 600m of the elite men’s 5000m. After Hamish Carson, who had earlier finished second in the 800m, set the pace over the first 3000m, the race was down to two, Willis and Julian Oakley. Working on instructions from his coach, Ron Warhurst, Willis accelerated into the lead with 600m remaining and finished in 13:55.76, outside Malcolm Hick’s 2015 meet record of 13:49.64. However Willis said he wasn’t seeking a time.

“My coach decided that I shouldn’t push for a time but just practice running a really hard last 600 metres because that would set me up better for the mile season on the indoor circuit. So I waited and waited and I felt bad that I didn’t help Julian out a bit more, but I had to stick to my plan and I don’t often do that, so I think my coach will be proud. He wanted a time of 1:24 and I think I did 1:26.”

“I’ve had a couple of early season races in the States that didn’t go quite as well as I’d hoped, but for December this is probably the best I ever am, whether that carries over we’ll have to see. I’m just enjoying every different opportunity, I’ve never done this meet before so it just keeps things a little bit fresh,” said Willis.

He will compete at the Cooks and Capital Classics which should be a really good tune up for the indoor circuit and Northern hemisphere.

Oakley was second in 14:07.29, with Niam Macdonald third in a PB 14:20.30. Personal bests were the order of the day with Peter Wheeler running 14:21.79, Hayden Wilde 14:25.90, Ben Moynihan 14:26.64, Cameron Graves 14:29.36, Murdoch McIntyre 14:31.84, Matthew Taylor 14:40.80, Jared Monk 14:41.08, Sean Eustace 14:42.20 and Connor Melton 14:42.86. It’s over six years since Oakley last race in the country and he was looking for a faster time.

“It wasn’t really the time I wanted, a little slow. Hamish did a good job getting us through 3k in 8:20 and as soon as he stepped off I didn’t feel great and got caught leading into the wind and I knew Nick was just biding his time and wanted to have a big last 600, so once he was off I was pretty cooked but it’s good to get a race in, especially in New Zealand where I don’t get to race much,” said Oakley.

Like Willis, Oakley will be heading back to the States for the indoor season and to complete the final six months of his scholarship at Providence College Rhode Island.

Stuart Hofmeyr won the B 5000m race in a debut time of 15:39.80. Damian Blocki of Poland won the 5000m race walk in 21:45.36. Alana Barber recorded 22:46.72 and Taylor Bell 32:07.51.

Samuel Tanner timed his final sprint to perfection winning the 800m in a personal best 1:51.69, heading in Hamish Carson 1:52.14 and Dominic Devlin 1:53.48. Tanner, the national schools 1500m/3000m champion, said it was good to still have the speed a month out from his wins in Dunedin.

“I put the roll on over the last 200m, when the boys came past me I was like sweet, just relax wait and then go hard as. It’s good to know the speed still there after the school championships,” he said.

Other winners: G U/10 800m Nadia Letica 2:51.20. B U/10 800m Caleb Maunder 2:37.39. G U/14 2000m Isla Westlake 7:02.84. B U/14 2000m Cameron Maunder 6:26.68. M U/17 2000m Sam Williams 6:29.77. W U/17 2000m Peyton Leigh 6:39.75. M social 5000m Severi Luoto 16:59.68. W social 5000m Amy Shaw 18:12.67. M 800m B Jude Darby 1:56.11 PB.

In the tradition of the halcyon days of Sir John Walker, Nick Willis, at the end of the meeting, invited the junior runners to join him and his son Lachlan on a lap of the track.

Open pole vault, AUT Millennium Stadium North Shore, 22 December: Nick Southgate 4.96m, Matthew Aucamp 4.06m. Olivia McTaggart 4.06m, Imogen Ayris 3.91m, Isabella Murrell 3.61m, Hannah Phillpot 3.61m.

HAMILTON

North Island Colgate Games, Porritt Stadium – 4/6 January 2019

Highlights from the three days of competition over the various grades:

Girls 14: Sophie Williams sprint double 100m 12.11 (+1.7), 200m 25.82 (+2.1). Siobhan Balle middle distance double 800m 2:24.56, 1500m 4:59.04. Kiana Pohe-Bright 400m 60.96. Marolene Basson 80m H 12.53 (+1.7). Natalia Rankin-Chitar SP 12.75m, DT 40.56m. Amy Alderton LJ 5.27m (+3.9). Amelia de Lautour HJ 1.53m. Sylvia McDougall 2000m RW 14:08.47. Hamilton City Hawks 4 x 100m relay 52.49.

Girls 13: Jessica Honey scored a fast 400m in 58.51 and also won the 800m in 2:21.55. Marielle Venida 100m 12.40 (+2.4) and 200m 25.76 (+3.4). Olivia Page 1500m 5:00.74. Nadja Kumerich SP 10.89m. Shyah Beattie DT 35.79m. Zayyaan Smith LJ 5.04m (-2.6). Evie Maclennan 80m H 12.77 (+2.5) and HJ 1.68m. Alana Mathews 1600m RW 9:41.02. North Harbour Bays 4 x 100m relay 53.53.

Girls 12: Talia van Rooyen 100m 12.94 (+1.7) and 80m H 13.23 (+2.6) and LJ 4.77m (+3.5). Abigail Weeding 200m 26.36 (+2.3). Kate Borton 400m 62.56. Anjalee Singh 800m 2:29.74. Renee Carey 1500m 5:07.90. Suzannah Kennelly SP 11.58m and DT 42.02m. Rhea Whiteman HJ 1.46m. Zoe Rutherford 1200m RW 7:50.15. Te Awamutu 4 x 100m relay 55.00.

Girls 11: AmponsaaTabi-Amponsah 100m 13.11 (+1.6) and 200m 26.76 (+1.5). Gabrielle Healy 400m 65.75 and 800m 2:28.62. Hayley Cornwall second in the 800m 2:28.76 and winner of the 1500m 5:11.98 and the HJ 1.47m. Madeleine Waddell LJ 4.79m (+3.6). Kate Hallie SP 11.75m. Melelosaline Lose DT 32.17m. Indigo James 1200m RW 9:08.32. Egmont 4 x 100m relay 58.44.

Girls 10: Amy Hurly was in top form winning the 400m 65.47, 800m 2:31.14, 1500m 5:07.62, LJ 4.07m (+1.2) and anchoring North Harbour Bays to victory in the 4 x 100m relay 60.99. Lily Anderson sprint double 100m 14.29 (+1.1) and 200m 29.53 (+2.3). Karmen-Elizabeth Maritz field event double SP 10.40m, DT 29.63m. Ruby Gilbertson HJ 1.25m. Aniwa Vanstone Chilton 1200m RW 8:41.39.

Boys 14: Zechariah Kingi 100m 11.65 (-0.4), Jole Naufahu second in the 100m in 11.86, and won the 200m 23.33 (+1.1) and 400m 53.92. Charlie Roil 800m 2:06.53. Joseph Morgan 1500m 4:20.81. 100m H Amilame Finau 14.63 (+2.5). 2000m RW Ryan Jones 9:55.98. Cooper McDougall SP 12.17m. Oliver Morton-Farrelly DT 44.20m. Jamie Kearns LJ 5.80m (-1.7). Sitiveni Lose HJ 1.80m. Pakuranga 4 x 100m relay 47.33.

Boys 13: Jack Sadler won the sprint triple 100m 11.74 (+2.2), 200m 23.55 (+3.5) and 400m 54.89. James Ford second in the 400m in 54.93 and winner of the 800m in 2:10.33. Alex Martin 1500m 4:27.93. Andre Gundersen 80m H 12.07 (+1.2) and the SP 14.20m and DT 47.22m. Forbes Kennedy LJ 5.42m (-3.9). Tom Christie HJ 1.67m. Ryan Topp 1600m RW 9:45.76. Papakura 4 x 100m relay 49.76.

Boys 12: Tisharn Field 100m 12.77 (+1.7), SP 13.04m. Reuben Duker 800m 2:20.55 and 1500m 4:51.82. Ben Ward 200m 26.50 (+0.4). Jesse Schwalger 400m 59.93. Maksis Maulvurfs 80m H 13.84 (+1.5). Va’a Tui DT 39.43m. Matt Schuler LJ 5.10m (+3.1). Kalani Mullins HJ 1.63m. Liam Dunlop-Brown 1200m RW 6:48.64. Pakuranga 4 x 100m relay 53.94.

Boys 11: Sebastian Farrelly was outstanding in this age group winning the 400m 60.38, 800m 2:20.82, 1500m 4:47.90 and LJ 4.43m (NWI). Frojer Jefin won the sprint double 100m 13.30 (+1.8) and 200m 27.77 (+2.6). Corban King SP 9.79m. Manaia Christiansen DT 34.81m. Kaea Cribb HJ 1.45m. Ari Bennett 1200m RW 8:26.11. Lake City Athletics 4 x 100m relay 57.70.

Boys 10: Nelsson Tiumalu SP 10.37m and DT 25.38. Flynn Wilson 200m 28.52 (+3.7) and 400m 67.26. Quinn Moss middle distance double 800m 2:33.55 and 1500m 5:12.11. Mairangiatea Alastair 100m 13.67 (+1.1). Justice Alexander Pua LJ 4.33m (+0.9). Austin McDougall HJ 1.41m. Lucas Nairn 1200m RW 8:59.35. Hawera 4 x 100m relay 58.83.

TAURANGA

Twilight Meeting, Tauranga Domain – 1 January 2019

Joseph Millar set the New Year off on a winning note with convincing victories over 100m in 10.79 (+0.9) and 200m in 21.93 (+2.6). Ethan Holman was second in the 100m in 10.95 and third in the 200m in 22.18, while Michael Goldie, who had earlier won the 400m in 49.63, was second in the 200m in 22.16. Taylor Smith was second in the 400m in 51.89.

Abby Goldie 100m 11.89 (+2.7) and 200m 24.70 (+3.8). Brooke Somerfield 100m 12.25.
Samuel Tanner won the Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty U/20 3000m title in 8:27.76. Hayden Wilde won the senior title, in the combined race, in a PB 8:28.22 from Michael Voss 8:35.94 PB. Alexander Hull clocked 8:38.33 and Josh Maisey 8:42.36. Olivia Cummings 3000m mx 10:25.36, Anneke Grogan 10:38.09, Kerry White 10:40.32.

Josie Taylor HJ 1.60m. Amy Robinson LJ 5.36m (+2.5). Jordan Peters LJ 7.10m (+3.7). Titiana Kaumoana DT 48.50m PB, Amber Brown SP 10.72m PB, DT 33.24m PB, 4kg HT 39.08m PB, 600g JT 30.78m PB. Alice Taylor 500g JT 35.57m PB. Nicolas Moratalla HJ 1.85m PB, 800g JT 35.43m. Jana Longney 3kg HT 39.31m PB.

Mount Maunganui King and Queen of the Mount Race – 26 December 2018

Daniel Jones added another victory to his long list of wins in the annual 4.5km event to the top and back to the beach in 19:19. Bobby Dean, last year’s winner, was second in 19:36 with Bevan Jefferies third in 21:11. Jones holds the race record of 18:32 from his win in 2015. Sabrina Grogan was the first woman in 24:08 from Kerry White 25:29 and Karen Donaldson-Barron 25:38.

CHRISTCHURCH

Christmas Cracker Twilight Meeting, Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub – 28 December 2018

10,000m; Andy Good 30:39.40, Niam Macdonald-Joslin 30:55.01, Daniel Balchin 31:19.69, Evan Elder 32:05.36, Sean Eustace 32:26.15. 5000m; Chris Dryden 14:57.43, Andy Good 15:01.93, Niam Macdonald-Joslin 15:02.34. Penny Peskett 17:30.61 mx. Navajo Prentice 17:48.58 mx. Flora Brocherie 1000m 2:59.23. Nathan Cochrane 2:39.88. Fiona Morrison 80m 10.17 (0.0), Maia Broughton 10.23. James Sandilands 80m 9.55 (+1.3). Anna Percy 300m 40.33, Mackenzie Keenan 40.76. Benjamin Collerton 300m 38.39, LJ 6.93m (-0.6). James Coates 1.5kg DT 44.12m PB, Joshua Bull 43.89. Hamish Kerr HJ 2.17m, Marcus Wolton 1.92m. Violette Perry DT 40.86m. Summer Rutherford LJ 5.12m (+1.9).

TIMARU

Lovelock Classic Meeting, Aorangi Stadium – 5 January 2019

Portia Bing was convincing in the 100m, winning in a personal best 11.78 (+0.6), from Fiona Morrison 12.14. Bing later won the 400m hurdles in 57.11. Anna Percy was second in a PB 58.14. Morrison opened the meeting with a win in the 100m hurdles in 13.74 (+1.5). Daniel Balchin won the Lovelock mile in 4:13.4 HT, Ieuan van der Peet was second in 4:19.0 and Jack Beaumont third in 4:19.9. Beaumont won the 3000m in 8:47.81 from Matt Dryden 8:52.37. Katherine Camp ran a PB 4:44.36 to win the women’s mile.

Fiona Centers 200m 24.73 (+0.8). Shannon Gearey 400m 58.85. Tamara Reeves 3000m 10:28.67. Kate Davies HJ 1.66m. Kelsey Berryman LJ 5.80m (+0.4). Lauren Bruce DT 48.16m, HT 59.72m. Emma Werner (Aust) HT 46.84m, Mayce Ballantyne HT 46.58m, Emma Wilson HT 37.27m PB. Alexander Dawson 100m 10.88 (+2.0) PB. Luke Mercieca 200m 22.43 (+0.7) PB, 400m 49.23. Louis Armstrong 400m H 56.82. Marcus Wolton HJ 2.02m, Max Attwell HJ 2.02m. Thomas Fletcher TJ 12.04m (-0.2). Todd Bates HT 50.01m. James Sandilands 110m H 15.33 (0.0). Cameron Moffitt 300m H 40.50. David Hansen 7.26kg SP 12.40m PB. Tapenisa Havea 4kg SP 12.90m PB.

USA INDOORS

Carol Robinson Pentathlon, Manhattan NY, 7 December: Aaron Booth 3973 points (1) (60m H 8.69, LJ 7.18m =PB, SP 14.00m PB, HJ 2.00m, 1000m 2:49.69).

Hoosier Open, Bloomington IN, 7 December: Matthew Prest 3000m 8:30.88 PB (4).

Crimson and Gold Invitational, Pittsburg KS, 8 December: Bailey Stewart 800m 1:54.37 (3).

Saluki Fast Start, Carbondale IL, 8 December: Tannock Blair 800m 1:56.41 (1R1).

UK

Telford 10k, Telford, 9 December: Callan Moody 29:21 PB (1).

CHINA

Guangzhou Marathon, 9 December: Mel Aitken 2:53:20 (8).

Shenzhen Marathon, 16 December: Mel Aitken 2:57:21 (8).

SPAIN

IAAF Silver Label Road Race, Nationale-Nederlanden San Silvestre Vallencana 10km, Madrid, 31 December: Daniel Wallis 30:13 PB (23).

AUSTRALIA

Strive Program, WA Athletics Stadium Perth, 20 December: Michael Cochrane 400m 48.35 (3).

Albie Thomas Mile, Crest Athletic Track, Georges Hall, Sydney, 22 December: Simon Rogers 4:06.00 (5). Won by Matthew Ramsden in 3:59.18 from Ryan Gregson 3:59.95.

Steigen Spectacular, Geelong Vic, 22 December: Josh Maisey 10,000m 30:44.38 PB (12).

ROAD AND TRAIL RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY

Auckland

Pakuranga 5km, Lloyd Elsmore Park, 17 December: Joe Shiozawa 17:44, Christian De Vaal 17:47, Simon Riley 18:48.

O’Hagan’s 5km, Viaduct Harbour, 18 December: Mitchell Carlyle 17:23, Joe Clark 17:34, Josh Lokes 17:35. Bella Richards 18:29, Katherine Morgan 18:37, Christine Adamson 20:55.

Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 19 December: Thomas Trengrove 19:17, Andrew Hatherley 19:47, Daniel Playne 19:53. Emma Hatherley 20:34.

Owairaka 5km, Mt Roskill, 19 December: Nick Moore 15:59, Dion O’Neale 17:32, Andrew McDowall 17:49.

YMCA 10km, Auckland Domain, 20 December: Isozaki Kotaro 38:06, Gene Rand 38:42, Daniel Yep 40:31.

Hamilton

Eastside Riverpath 5km, 18 December: John Mering 16:58, Sunil Fernandez Ritchie 18:33, Kris Moore 19:11. Kirsten Milne 20:59, Veronika Adams 21:02.

Wellington

Waterfront 5km, 18 December: Daniel Jones 16:07, Paul Barwick 16:58, Alasdair Saunders 17:31. Amanda Broughton 19:12, Marseille Bowie 19:46, Sarah Riceman 19:51. Walk; Daniel Du Toit 23:47, Clive McGovern 31:00. Daphne Jones 37:09.

Nelson

Honest Lawyer 5km, Monaco, 17 December: Chris Sharland 19:08, Roydon Hawks 19:33, Katie Malthus 19:48, Mike Beever 20:08. 24 December: Ezekiel Stewart 18:45, Nova Sutherland 19:05, Chris Sharland 19:31. Colette Read 21:50.

King and Queen of the Withers 10km, 5 January: Jason Hunt 42:47, Sam Hansby 43:48, James Kuegler 44:53. Megan Craig 46:50, Paula Olliver 53:58, Genevieve Hearn 54:23.

2018 TRACK & FIELD NEWS WORLD RANKINGS

New Zealander’s ranked in the first 10 in the world in 2018 in their event, by Track & Field News: Jake Robertson 10,000m (9), Tom Walsh shot put (1), Eliza McCartney pole vault (5), Valerie Adams shot put (9).

Tom Walsh was ranked number five overall male for the year, behind Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) marathon; Abderrahmane Samba (Qatar) 400m hurdles; Kevin Mayer (France) decathlon and Noah Lyles (USA) sprints.

The Magazine’s comment on Walsh: “The world’s top putter moved into the Kiwi elite when he joined Sir Peter Snell and Sir John Walker (both of whom claimed AOY titles back in the day) as the only ones from their nation to make the Top 10 men. Walsh’s list leading 22.67m moved him to number five on the all-time world list (with the number nine performance ever) and overall he had three of the year’s farthest throws. Walsh is the first putter to crack the top five since Adam Nelson did it with number five in 2002.”

NEW YEAR HONOURS

Derek Williams, a coach and committee member with the Waitakere City Athletics Club received the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the Welsh community and athletics in the New Year Honours. He has coached rugby, cricket, athletics and gymnastics and was part of the Auckland Secondary Schools Athletics Management Team to several North Island Championships from 1992 to 2005. He is an Auckland Athletics official.

OBITUARY

The likeable and popular Ironman of New Zealand running Bill Baillie MNZM of Auckland died on 25 December 2018 at Cooks Beach aged 84.

Baillie went to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966, and was sixth in the Olympic Games 5000m in 1964 in Tokyo, but his claim to fame world-wide was setting world records over 20,000m and one hour at the Lovelock Track in Auckland on 24 August 1963. He recorded 59m 28.6s for 20,000m and covered 20,190m in the hour to break Czech Emil Zatopek, who won three gold medals at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, records.

He won 15 New Zealand titles; 880 yards (2 ’54,’55), mile (2 ’58, ‘61), 3 miles (1 ‘56), 6 miles (7 ’59, ’60, ’63-‘67), cross country (2 ’60, ‘63), road (1 ‘65). His cross country win in 1963 at Cornwall Park Auckland was one of his most notable victories. The New Zealand championship was two weeks before his world record run and he headed in a top field of Barry Magee, Jeff Julian, Neville Scott, Ray Puckett and John Davies. He was the fourth New Zealander to run a sub four minute mile, running 3:59.2 at Cooks Gardens Whanganui in February 1964.

Baillie went on to compete in masters athletics and triathlons including the Ironman. At the New Zealand masters championships he won the M40 cross country in 1976, the M50 cross country in 1986 and the M45 road in 1982. On the track he was the M40 800m and 1500m champion in 1975 and 1976 and the M50 1500m champion in 1985. At the 1981 world masters championships in Christchurch he won gold in the M45 1500m and at the 1983 championships in Puerto Rico won silver in the M45 800m and 1500m.

Baillie, at the age of 31, gave details of his 1965 results. He competed in 54 races for 31 wins, six seconds and six thirds, over 1500m, mile, 2 mile, 3000m, 3 mile, 5000m, 6 mile, 10,000m, three cross country races, five road, including a 15 miler, 25,000m track 1:14:44, a marathon 2:24:29 and a 30 miler 2:52:10. He ran 8037 km, averaged 154.56 km per week. He only had 12 days not training or racing as he was in the air flying. He had two overseas tours and competed in 13 different countries. His best performances were; 880 yards 1:52.3, mile 3:59.2 1500m converted 3:40.8, 3 miles 13:10.2, 5000m 13:40.0, 6 miles 27:56.8 10,000m converted 29:01.0, 10 miles 48:09.0, marathon 2:20:13.

Noted athletics historian Peter Heidenstrom wrote: “Better runners than Baillie there may have been, but none who left behind more truly memorable races.” He also described Baillie; “Chest like a 44 gallon drum, weightlifters shoulders where a neck should have been, a squeaky voice and irrepressible good humour. Baillie was a natural clown and like the best clowns he was enormously popular.”

He has been a long standing member of the Lynndale Athletic Club, he was a past president 1978-80 and was made a Life Member in 1979. He received the prestigious Lonsdale Cup of the New Zealand Olympic Committee in 1963, was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to athletics in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours and was inducted into the New Zealand Sport Hall of Fame in 2011. He is New Zealand Olympian number 157.

The First Thursday Monthly Runners Club in Auckland noted that they have lost a great friend and a very great athlete. “There can only ever be one Bill Baillie. You will be in our thoughts and be sadly missed.” And the Auckland Taxi Golf Club is saddened that Bill has holed out and packed his clubs away.

“We are proud that he chose golf as his sport of choice in his later years and as well as being a member of Maungakiekie Golf Club many of his regular games were with Taxis at Muriwai Links. An outstanding competitor who will be missed by us and all his fellow Taxi Golf Club members throughout New Zealand.”

Murray McKinnon
Athletics New Zealand Correspondent
0274 806086
murray@mckinnon.co.nz