Weekly Roundup – 24 March

INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

CHINA

World Athletics Indoor Championships – 21-23 March 2025

Gold to Tom Walsh in the shot put and silver for Hamish Kerr to add to his Paris Olympic Games gold.

It was Walsh’s third win at the world indoors, having taken the title in 2016 in Portland and 2018 in Birmingham. His opening throw of 21.65m was three centimetres better than second-placed American Roger Steen’s last throw of 21.62m. Adrian Piperi of USA was third with 21.48m.

Kerr won the indoor title in 2024 in Glasgow and the Commonwealth title in Birmingham in 2022. Kerr won the silver on a countback, ahead of three other athletes. Sanghycok Woo of Korea won clearing 2.31m.

A top sixth placing went to Zoe Hobbs in the 60 metres.

Results

21 March: Alison Andrews-Paul 800m H 2:05.76 (5H3) DNQ (20), Tiaan Whelpton 60m H 6.62 (2H7) Q (10), Hamish Kerr HJ 2.28m (2), (2.14o, 2.20o, 2.24xo, 2.28o, 2.31xxx), Maia Ramsden 1500m H 4:14.89 (6H2) DNQ, Laura Nagel 1500m H 4:18.61 PB (8H3) DNQ, Maddison-Lee Wesche SP 16.52m (15) (x, 16.52, x), Kaia Tupu-South SP 16.45m (16) (16.45, 16.20, x). Tiaan Whelpton 60m SF 6.70 (8SF3) (21).

22 March: Zoe Hobbs 60m H 7.18 (1H3) Q, SF 7.12 (3SF2) q, 7.13 (6). Imogen Ayris PV 4.45m (9), (4.30o, 4.45o, 4.60xxx), Olivia McTaggart PV 4.45m (11), (4.30xo, 4.45xo, 4.60xxx).

23 March: Tom Walsh SP 21.65m (1), (21.65, x, 21.11, 20.95, 21.19, 21.48).    

AUSTRALIA

128th Queensland Championships, QSAC Nathan Brisbane, 14/16 March: Brooke Somerfield 200m 23.49 +1.6 PB (1H1), 23.63 +1.0 (1SF1), 23.57 +2.6 (2). Jordyn Blake 200m 24.46 +1.0 (2SF1), 24.42 +2.6 (4). 400m 53.95 PB (1H2), 54.16 (2). Kiana Pohe 100m 12.19 +1.1 (3H4), 12.27 +0.2 (3SF2), 200m 25.05 +1.4 (2H3), 24.95 +1.0 (2SF3), 25.05 +2.6 (7). Holly Rule 800m 2:18.26 (1H2), 2:09.02 (2). Caitlin Shepperson HT 46.31m (1).

Mogammad Smith 100m 10.68 +1.2 (1H1), 10.58 +0.2 (2SF2), 10.44 +2.4 (1). Zachary Saunders 200m 21.21 +1.0 (1H1), 21.21 +2.7 (1SF3), 21.35 +0.4 (4). Jared Monk 1500m 3:57.23 (4H1), 3:55.50 (5). Brody Boerboom U/20 1500m 4:01.16 (4H2), 3:59.91 PB (7).

New South Wales Junior Championships, SOPAC, Sydney, 13/16 March: Analin Rudd LJ 5.51m +2.6 (2), also 5.42m +0.3 PB, TJ 12.01m -3.3 PB (2).

USA OUTDOORS
State Hornet Invite, Sacramento CA, 21 March: Amelie Fairclough 400m 57.61 (4RD), Annalies Kalma 800m 2:09.71 (1RB). Poppy Martin 1500m 4:32,73 (2RB).

TCU Alumni Invitational, Lowden Track, 21 March: Macey Hilton 800m 2:13.05 (3), 1500m 4:28.74 (4).

Trojan Invite, Loker Stadium, Los Angeles CA, 21/22 March: Eddie Osei-Nketia 100m 10.26 -0.5 (2), 200m 20.92 +1.4 (1RB). Alexandria Maples HT 62.68m (3).

Willie Williams Classic, Roy P Drachman Stadium, Tucson AZ, 21/22 March: Tapenisa Havea SP 15.51m (3), DT 56.46m (1), HT 49.07m (8).

Yellow Jacket Invitational, George C Griffin Track, Atlanta GA, 22 March: Emma Ferguson 800m 2:10.27 (2RB).

West Texas Relays, Buffalo Sports Park, Canyon TX, 22 March: Leah Belfield 100m 11.98 +1.6 (1RB).

Dr Dan Caprioglio Early Bird, Thunder Bowl, Pueblo CO, 21 March: Flynn Johnston 400m 50.08 (3RB).

Bob Larsen Meeting, Drake Stadium, Westwood CA, 21 March: Luke Hitchcock 1500m 3:44.52 (4). Chloe Browne 1500m 4:21.67 (4), Bella Browne 4:29.16 (2RB).

Weems Baskin Invitational, Sheila and Morris Cregger Track, Columbia SC, 22 March: Liam O’Donnell 1500m 3:56.56 (3).

Penn Challenge, Franklin Field, Philadelphia PA, 22 March: Chanel Muir 800m 1:51.71 (3), Callum Murray 1:57.57 (8). Charlie Hazlett 1500m 4:01.40 (12RB). Neve Moulai 1500m 4:36.10 (7).

Virginia Opener, Lannigan Field, Charlottesville VA, 22 March: James Ford 400m 50.16 (3).

Jim Bush Legends, Drake Stadium, Westwood CA, 22 March: Chloe Browne 800m 2:13.15 (5), Bella Browne 2:16.46 (7).

St Paddy’s Day 5km, Dallas TX, 16 March: Craig Lautenslager 14:40 PB (1), Third straight win.

GREAT BRITAIN
Podium Festival 5km Road, Leicester, 15 March: Georgie Grgec 15:25 PB (3), Sophie Hicks 16:15 PB (26), Martina Conner 16:41 PB (54).

SOUTH AFRICA
ASA Grand Prix #2, UJ Stadium, Johannesburg, 19 March: Ethan Olivier TJ 16.47m +0.9 (1).

NATIONAL RESULTS

AUCKLAND

Athletics New Zealand Combined Events Championships, Mt Smart Stadium – 22/23 March 2025

It was three years in a row for Angus Lyver bagging the national senior decathlon title, and coupled with the national junior title in 2022, four straight years in the 10 events programme.

Lyver admitted that day one was better for him than the second.

“I started off really good, the 100m and long jump and then kind of had a bit of a shocker, but we pulled through in the end.

“Overall it was an average couple of days, but good to know there is a lot more left in the tank and there is still a lot of room in a lot of events that I can improve on over the winter.

However Lyver was happy in equalling his PB in both the long jump and 110m hurdles and an overall PB.

Brianna Stephenson said it felt good to finally secure gold in the heptathlon, after taking the bronze in 2023 and the silver last year.

“I had a PB 800m and three PB’s on the first day, and an overall PB, which is the important one. It was also my fastest windy 200m.”

Achieving a total of 6000 points was in her sights, going into the 800m.

“I had times I needed to have, and I knew what time I needed to run, and I was just under a second off that. But all and all very happy to have over 200 point PB.”

Stephenson will head over to Europe, in May, June and July, and do some of the gold heptathlons.

Defending champion Maddie Wilson had a PB high jump.

“I’ve been attempting 1.87 all season, so it was really nice to get that and also have some looks at 1.90.

“Three attempts at 1.87 and at 1.90, was quite hard and it took it out of me a bit. 

“It was so cool to be competing against Brianna this year and it is good to finish all seven events and the body still mainly in one piece.”

Wilson has been invited to compete in the Götzis women’s heptathlon in Austria at the end of May, following her national title win last year.

“I’m super excited for that as it will be my first international heptathlon outside of Oceania, and all the big girls will be there.”

Wilson will follow up from Götzis with the World University Games in Germany in July.

“I’m looking towards the middle of the year to hopefully be pulling out some bigger scores.”

Results:

Men

Senior decathlon: Angus Lyver (Christchurch OB) 7098 points PB (100m 10.73 -0.3, LJ 7.36m +2.0 =PB, SP 13.06m, HJ 1.87m, 400m 50.23, 110m H 15.62 +0.5 =PB, DT 37.92m PV 3.22m, JT 59.15m, 1500m 4:56.56), Junnosuke Tanaka (Japan) 5853, Luke Moffitt (Hill City Univ) 5771, Toby Martin (Hill City Univ) 5649.

Under 20 decathlon: Jonas Hannam (Australia) (11.83, 6.22m, 10.17m, 1.81m, 53.16, 19.87, 33.74m, 2.82m, 44.61m, 5:11.87) 5342, Benjamin Fairclough (Waitakere) 5033.

Under 18 decathlon: Connor Brady (Takapuna) 6793 (11.47, 6.23m, 15.12m, 1.78m, 51.28, 15.26, 44.57m, 3.42m, 51.68m, 4:56.17), Jacques Temarii (French Polynesia) 6256, Jayden Ng (Singapore) 5716, Ty Gonzales 5074.

Women

Senior heptathlon: Briana Stephenson (Hastings) 5985 points PB (100m H 13.34 0.0 PB, HJ 1.78m PB, SP 10.64m, 200m 23.81 +2.1, LJ 6.02m +0.6, JT 37.12m, 800m 2:13.05 PB), Maddie Wilson (Chch OB) 5629 (14.64, 1.87m PB, 12.08m, 25.03, 5.76m, 36.29m, 2:25.61), Lillian Bing (Waitakere) 3343 (17.03, 1.54m, 8.43m, 26.08, 4.68m 10.26m 2:51.60).

Under 20 heptathlon: Samantha Lascelles (Chch Avon) 4137, Lilla Faivre (Phoenix AC) 3363, Mulan Riseborough (Takapuna) 2857.

Under 18 heptathlon: Teresie Hess (Takapuna) 5148, Juliet McKinlay (Palmerston North) 4905, Reki Selita Roberts (Fiji) 4761, Jamie Fell (Hamilton) 4479, Charlotte Blake (Sth Canterbury) 4160.

Under 16 Pentathlon: Hinavai Janicaud (French Polynesia) 2526, Mya Riseborough (Takapuna) 2331, Fionnuala Free (Takapuna) 2126, Violet Ward (Lynndale) 1143.

Under 14 Pentathlon: Lace Patuki (NHB) 2126, Aleisha Jackson (Lynndale) 1230, Karen Kawada (Lynndale) 949.

Masters: M50 Roland Van der Tillaar (Norway) 3527. M80 David Anstiss (NHB) 5122, NZ M80 LJ record 3.62m.

CHRISTCHURCH

Athletics New Zealand 20km Race Walking Championships, Bottle Lake Forrest Park, Waitikiri Drive – 23 March 2025

Jonah Cropp of Sumner won in 1:31:16, a New Zealand best for under 20, three seconds better than Greg Cross 1991 time of 1:31:19. Toby O’Rorke (Taranaki) second in 1:39:31 and Lucas Martin (Manawatu Whanganui) third in 1:39:54.

REGIONAL RESULTS

AUCKLAND

ACA Mile Night, Mt Smart Stadium – 19 March 2025

World mile history was created on Wednesday evening 19 March when 15-year-old Sam Ruthe of Tauranga became the youngest athlete in the world to go under the magical four-minute barrier in the mile.

Spurred on by Sam Tanner, Ruthe clocked 3:58.35 to surpass Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway, who ran 3:58.07 as a 16-year-old in May 2017. Australian Cam Myers’s 3:55.44 is currently the best time for a 16-year-old.

National 800m champion Ethan Smolej led the field through the first two laps at a perfect pace to hand the pacing over to Tanner at just under two minutes.

Ruthe stuck with Tanner and with 150 metres to go was on his way to a sub four. Tanner won in 3:58.29 with Ruthe becoming the 49th New Zealander to run a sub-four mile. Benjamin Wall in third in 3:59.00 takes the honour of being the 50th Kiwi under the barrier.

Ruthe’s time also bettered Tanner’s New Zealand under 20 and under 19 2019 record of 3:58.41.

He said afterwards that he couldn’t have asked for better pacing from Smolej and Tanner.

“Before that last lap, I was actually thinking quite a bit, which I don’t usually do. I was feeling quite good, but my legs started to tie up a bit, so it was going to be interesting, but I managed to hold on. It felt perfect.

“He (Tanner) was going to take me the whole way and pace me perfectly, which he did. I couldn’t have asked for better pacing.”

“This was probably my favourite goal that I’ve reached, I’ve definitely enjoyed this one the most, with all the people here supporting me.

“This has been the most set up for me, so I’m really happy to have gotten this one.”

Ruthe and Tanner, next race will be over 1500m at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, on March 29.

“Definitely my biggest race yet,” Ruthe said. “There will be some real good competition over there, so it will be interesting to see how I go in a good field.

“They’re all faster than me, so I’ll probably just hang on the back and see how I feel through the race.”

Recently turned 55 year old Wim Luijpers recorded 4:41.63 for a New Zealand masters M55 record to add to the M50 record he holds.

National under 18 3000m champion and under 20 mile champion Scarlett Robb won the women’s feature mile in a personal best 4:46.29. The first seven all set bests with twins Lisa and Sarah Hellyer taking second and third.

Results:

Men mile: Sam Tanner 3:58.29, Sam Ruthe 3:58.35 PB (World’s best for a 15 year old, New Zealand under 20 and under 19 record, breaks Sam Tanner’s 2019 record of 3:58.41), Benjamin Wall 3:59.00 PB, George Wyllie 4:03.80 PB, Joe Martin 4:04.46 PB, Hamish Murray 4:05.12 PB, James McLeay 4:08.91, Daniel Hayes 4:10.50.

Women mile: Scarlett Robb 4:46.29 PB, Lisa Hellyer 4:48.46 PB, Sarah Hellyer 4:50.25 PB, Sascha Letica 4:52.39 PB, Krystal Clark 4:52.84, Eleanor Pugh 4:55.16 PB, Sophia Haines 4:57.12 PB, Holly Fausett 4:57.38.

McKinnon Shield, Mt Smart Stadium – 22 March 2025

Results

Men

100m: James Guthrie-Croft (NHB) 11.08 -0.6, Jeremiah Rogo (Tak) 11.27, Callum Moss (Papakura) 11.47.

200m: Rogo 22.43 +1.8, Moss 22.77, William Campbell (Papakura) 23.33.

400m: Maksis Maulvurfs (Lynndale) 53.56, Wayne Holroyd (NHB) 54.17, Zerun Zhao (Lyn) 56.49.

800m: James Trathen (Pakuranga) 1:55.67, Ryan Danby (Pak) 1:59.31, Jaden Movold (NHB) 2:00.54, Arran Brodie (NHB) 2:01.53. Wim Luijpers M55 800m 2:07.28.

Shot put: Reid Davidson (NHB) 6kg 16.13m, Leyon Caffery (Manurewa) 5kg 13.29m, Ethan Vaili (Pakuranga) 5kg 10.00m, Brian Wilson (NHB) 6kg 7.58m.

Discus throw: Caffery 1.5kg 54.88m PB, Jack Burns (Pt Chevalier) 54.53m, Vaili 40.35m, Wilson 19.97m.

Long jump: Piritau Nga (Cook Is) 6.41m, -0.1, Edward Nga (Cook Is) 5.96m +1.5.

Women

100m: Livvy Wilson (NHB) 11.70 +1.5, Samantha Lathwood (Tak) 11.83, Madison Earley (Wait) 12.37.

200m: Lathwood 24.36 +0.3, Charlotte Goldsmith (ACA) 24.76, Earley 25.61.

400m: Camryn Smart (NHB) 54.44, Hannah McManus (ACA) 59.96 PB. 

800m: Stella Pearless (NHB) 2:06.09, Holly Rule (Wait) 2:11.75, Gabrielle Wright (TTT) 2:31.39.

Shot put: Karmen Maritz (NHB) 3kg 14.10m, Fiona Kelso (Wait) 3kg 9.61m, Sionann Murphy (Tak) 3kg 9.03m, Charli Gardiner-Hall (Waiuku) 3kg 8.08m. 

Discus throw: Maritz 45.17m, Murphy 25.17m, Gardiner-Hall 24.59m.

Long jump: Goldsmith 6.05m +1.1, Charlotte Drabble (ACA) 5.49m +2.5, also 5.43m +0.8, Lillian Muir (ACA) 5.02m +2.0.

WELLINGTON

Athletics Wellington Meeting #6, Newtown Park – 22 March 2025

Aleksandra Domamski 60m 7.72 +0.9 PB, 200m 25.73 +3.8. Elizabeth Hewitt 4kg HT 54.18m, Iorana Tafili 51.21m. 

Cody Wilson 60m 7.04 +1.9, 200m 22.36 +2.6, Matthew Rodger 7.07, Max Lewer 7.50, 22.90. Ethan Calder-Cass 200m 22.10 +2.6, Liam Kilby 22.85. 

Clive McGovern 3000m RW 19:17.59, Helen Willis 21:28.87, Jacqueline Wilson 22:07.73. Anna Fraser TJ 12.26m +0.2. 

Nikora Wharehinga-Sime 1.75kg DT 40.47m PB, Keagan Sharkey 36.48m PB, 800g JT 49.17m. Corran Hanning 2kg DT 39.64m. Ana Ellison-Lupena DT 39.37m. Elardus Botha 800g JT 47.58m. Alex Ross 700g JT 40.21m. 

CHRISTCHURCH

Don Greig Racing Stables Twilight Challenge, Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub – 19 March 2025

Results

Men

Mile: Harry Witt 4:17.69, Jacob Ridder 4:27.67, Bebe Colbourne 4:28.31.

Athletics Canterbury 5000m Championship: Christopher Dryden 14:42.47, Robbie White 14:57.36, Corban Straker 15:04.71.

3000m Steeplechase: Toby Tasker 9:08.36.

Women

400m: Samantha Lascelles 58.32.

1000m U/16: Isabelle Greer 3:19.81.

1500m: Rosa Twyford 4:20.87, Liliana Braun 4:38.01.

Athletics Canterbury  5000m Championship: Eva Pringle 16:17.39, Kate Currie 16:53.10, Natalie Dryden 17:29.62.

ROAD AND TRAIL RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY 

AUCKLAND

Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 19 March: Noah Hanrahan 19:07, Andrew Harvey 19:19, Chris Weeks 19:47.

HAMILTON 
The Cook 5km, 18 March: Jack Stirling 16:18, Max Stirling 17:31, Jacob Liu 17:57. Jasmine Shawyer 20:27.

MOUNT MAUNGANUI

Mauao Half Marathon, 22 March: Bobby Dean 1:41:15, Richard Malcolm 1:43:22, David Bishop 1:46:08. Jessie Speedy 1:44:02, Anna Dean 2:05:04, Zoe Van Mil 2:05:11.

GISBORNE
Gisborne Summer Series 5km #7, 18 March: Josh Stewart 17:13, Dougie Moore 17:16, Kristen Van Dorp 18:44, Dan Ryan 19:01.

NELSON

The Honest Lawyer 5km #14, Monaco, 17 March: Rory Dadds 18:10, Tony Phillips 19:28, Oscar Bowater 19:30. Zoe King 21:27.

Sharland Cycles 5km Series, Showgrounds Course, 19 March: Patrick Anderson 17:43, Harrison France 18:09, Daniel Leaper 20:06. Robyn Deane 21:34.

OBITUARY
Athletics Canterbury stalwart and Athletics New Zealand life member Kevin Jago of Christchurch died on Thursday 20 March aged 80.

Kevin joined Olympic Harriers in 1957 and began track and field with the Technical Club.

He has been involved in athletics administration since being one of the foundation members and first secretary, in 1964, of St Martins Athletic Club. For nine years he was president of the Club, and Club cross country champion in 1970 and 1971. In 1977 he was a founding member and first president of QE Athletic Club.

He began a carpentry apprenticeship and although he did not complete it, his work in the Canterbury Museum workshop allowed him to use those skills. This led to organising the Cross Country Committee equipment, which in turn led to becoming a trail layer for the Takahe to Akaroa Relay. He was assistant manager for the marathon and race walks at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games and deputy director of the City of Christchurch Marathon. He organised the New Zealand cross country championships when they were staged in Christchurch and was chairman from 1974 to 1978 of the organising committee for the Tahahe to Akaroa Relay. In 1985 he was co-manager of an 18 day non-stop relay around New Zealand to celebrate Athletics New Zealand centenary.

He was vice-president of Canterbury Masters.

Kevin was on the Athletics Canterbury executive for 25 years, president for 10 years and  was made a life member in 1984. He received an Athletics New Zealand merit award in 1998 and was made a life member of ANZ in 2023. In 2014 he received an Athletics Canterbury award for exceptional services to Athletics and an outstanding volunteer service to sport from Sport Canterbury.