Weekly Roundup – 26 May

INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

MOROCCO
Diamond League, Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athlétisme de Rabat, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat – 25 May 2025

A Diamond League victory to Paris Olympic Champion Hamish Kerr in the high jump, clearing 2.25m. Imogen Ayris was fourth in the pole vault, Zoe Hobbs fifth in the 100m, and Tom Walsh sixth in the shot put.

Results:
Hamish Kerr HJ 2.25m (1), (2.16o, 2.21o, 2.25o, 2.28xxx). Tom Walsh SP 21.41m (6), (21.20, x, 21.04, 21.21, 21.41). Imogen Ayris PV 4.50m (4), (4.35o, 4.50o, 4.63xxx). Olivia McTaggart PV 4.35m (9), (4.35xxo, 4.50xxx). Zoe Hobbs 100m 11.16 +0.2 (5). Sam Tanner 1500m 3:35.48 (13).     

CROATIA        
75th Memorial Boris Hanžeković, Sports Park Mladost, Zagreb, 22 May: Tom Walsh SP 21.71m (2), (20.92, 20.89, 20.86, 21.09, 20.94, 21.71).

75th Memorial Boris Hanžeković, Sports Park Mladost, Zagreb, 24 May: Tori Moorby JT 61.96m (1), (59.43, 55.20, 59.46, 61.96, 57.63, 60.28).

USA
Big 10 Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene OR, 16/18 May: Eddie Osei-Nketia 100m 10.22 +0.1 (1H1), 10.18 -0.6 (2), 200m 20.65 +0.8 (3H2), 20.65 +0.2 (5). Kaia Tupu-South SP 17.33m (5), DT 48.39m (18). Christian de Vaal 5000m 13:35.97 PB (6).

MVC Championships, Lew Hartzog T & F Complex, Carbondale IL, 17 May: Harrison McGregor DT 50.43m (6).

Track Fest, Occidental College, Los Angeles, 24 May: Alison Andrews-Paul 800m 2:01.64 (4H2). Geordie Beamish 5000m 13:09.80 (7), Theo Quax 13:40.07 (18).

Tucson Elite Throws, Roy P. Drachman T&F Stadium, Tucson AZ, 22 May: Tapenisa Havea SP 16.48m (7), DT 52.37m (7).

GREAT BRITAIN

Loughborough International, Paula Radcliffe Stadium, Loughborough, 18 May: Imogen Ayris PV 4.45m (1), (3.85o, 4.00xo, 4.10o, 4.20xxo, 4.30o, 4.45o, 4.55xxx). Jonathan Maples 400m 48.84 (5R1), 400m H 54.70 (6R1).

BMC PB Classic, Street, 18 May: Josh Nairne 800m 1:53.87 (3).

BELGIUM

IFAM, Koning Boudewijn Stadion, Brussels, 24 May: Jonathan Maples 400m 47.57 (5F3). Josh Nairne 800m 1:55.68 (8F7).

SPAIN

Maratón de Santiago, 18 May: Juliet Taylor marathon 2:55:24 (17). 

FRANCE
Meeting Premium De Forbach, Stade Omnisports Schlossberg, Forbach, 25 May: Briana Stephenson 100m H 13.67 -1.1 (3H2), 13.69 -1.0 (4).

SWITZERLAND

WPA Grand Prix, Nottwil, 23/24 May: Gabrielle Wright T54 100m 19.92 0.0 (17), 200m 35.48 +0.2 (9), 400m 1:05.47 (15), New Zealand Para Athlete T54 record, 800m 2:22.87 (13), 1500m 4:28.67 PB (13), New Zealand Para Athlete T54 record.

Jaden Movold T54 100m 16.72 (30), 200m 31.06 (9), 400m 57.69 (32), 800m 1:56.04 (33), 1500m 3:33.03 (23), 5000m 11:55.94 (14).

AUSTRALIA

Athletics Victoria Walking Championships, Albert Park, Melbourne, 18 May: Laura Langley 30km race walk 2:45:38 PB (3).

REGIONAL RESULTS

AUCKLAND
Grand Prix Cross Country Series #2, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga – 24 May 2025

Nine years on from winning the national senior cross country title on the Auckland Domain in 2016 Jono Jackson is still in winning form. Jackson reversed the placings from the first race in the GP series at Pukekohe, heading in Samuel Bremer by 13 seconds in 26:31. 

Paris Olympian triathlete Ainsley Thorpe won the women’s 8km in 30:20, defeating Odette Jennings, who was also second last year.

Leo Green won the under 14 boys, Leah Marais the under 16 girls, Denika Clooney the under 18 women and Karen Donaldson-Barron the masters women, all repeating their wins from last year.

Results:

Senior men 8km: Jono Jackson (ACA) 26:31, Samuel Bremer (Pakuranga) 26:44, Jeff Curteis (NHB) 27:01.

Senior women 8km: Ainsley Thorpe (Pakuranga) 30:20, Odette Jennings (TTT) 32:09, Leah Hankey (Owairaka) 32:43.

Master men 8km: Rodwyn Isaacs (Pakuranga) 26:52, Steve Rees-Jones (Cambridge) 27:25, Jake Hendrickx (Pakuranga) 27:34.

Master women 6km: Karen Donaldson-Barron (Night Ninjas) 24:22, Rachel O’Brien (TTT) 24:53, Dale Berrill (Pakuranga) 25:19.

Men under 20 6km: Caleb Wagener (Pakuranga) 18:49, Jack Snedden (Oratia) 19:47, James Trathen (Pakuranga) 20:49.

Women under 20 6km: Annabel Richardson (ACA) 23:29, Kate Robinson (ACA) 25:42, Kendal Penney (Pakuranga) 29:23.

Men under 18 6km: Samuel Rickerby (ACA) 20:10, Moojin Lee (Pakuranga) 20:47, Nikko Kelly (Oratia) 21:41.

Women under 18 6km: Denika Clooney (TTT) 22:13, Amy Thomson (Oratia) 22:45, Amy Towers (ACA) 24:27.

Men under 16 4km: Kona Kelly (Oratia) 13:35, Willioam Moulder (Pakuranga) 13:48, Finn Molloy (ACA) 13:59.

Women under 16 4km: Leah Marais (Pakuranga) 15:09, Charlie Fong (ACA) 15:45, Millie Gatie (ACA) 15:49.

Boys under 14 4km: Leo Green (Pakuranga) 13:52, Tyler Poland (NHB) 14:25, Elijah McDermott (Oratia) 14:32.

Girls under 14 4km: Stella Tanner (ACA) 15:45, Hayley Whiteman (Pakuranga) 16:02, Nyah Slade (NHB) 16:06.

Boys under 12 2km: Jonty Farrell (Lynndale) 7:34, Harley Stanton (NHB) 7:44, Wolfgang Brunt (ACA) 7:46.

Girls under 12 2km: Vivienne Meyer (NHB) 7:48, Riley McKay (Pakuranga) 7:59, Isla Tobin (NHB) 8:10.

TAURANGA
Tauranga Open Cross Country, Waipuna Park, Welcome Bay – 24 May 2025

Max Green third in the recent New Zealand 5km road championship, was a clear winner of the senior 8km. National senior 800m champion Bo Ritchie was in top form, winning the women’s 6km in 25:00, over two minutes ahead of 2021 national cross country champion Kerry White.

Sub-four-minute miler Sam Ruthe won the under-18 6km in 20:07.

Results:

Senior men 8km: Max Green (Whakatane) 27:55, Conrad Visagie (Tauranga) 28:40, Chris Lines 30:29.

Senior women 6km: Bo Ritchie (Hamilton) 25:00, Kerry White 27:28, Isabelle Howard (MTD) 35:10.

Master men 8km: Matthew Parsonage (Lake City) 29:06, Joel Stansloski (Whanatane) 29:57, Grant Dorey (Papamoa) 30:58.

Master women 4km: Angie Smith (Lake City) 18:08, Amy Croom (Papamoa) 19:08, Shelley Timbers 19:21.

Men under 20 6km: Finnley Oliver (Tauranga) 20:22, George Wyllie (Tauranga) 21:11, Fletcher van Heuven (Te Aroha) 21:28.

Women under 20 4km: Maia Poutawera (Tauranga) 18:15.

Men under 18 6km: Sam Ruthe (Tauranga) 20:07, Corban Holmes (Tauranga) 20:33, Vaughan Murray (Hamilton) 21:02.

Women under 18 4km: Eleanor Pugh (Tauranga) 15:21, Nina Varley (Tauranga) 18:44.

Men under 16 3km: Daniel Addidle (Tauranga) 10:56, Cooper Hogan (Tauranga) 11:31, Noah Miyamura-Brown (Papamoa) 11:54.

Women under 16 3km: Daisy Ruthe (Tauranga) 11:05, Annie Downing (Hamilton) 11:05, Kate Faitl (Tauranga) 11:39.

Boys under 14 3km: Loclan Watts (Hamilton) 11:23, Andre Swager 11:51, Sam Milham (Te Puke) 11:57.

Girls under 14 3km: Sophie Reid (Te Puke) 11:52, Paige Veal 12:12, Anaka Els 13:22.

Boys under 12 2km: Harley Nicholas (Bellevue) 8:05, Jake Balmer (Greerton) 8:22, Fletcher Smith 8:22.

Girls under 12 2km: Indie Brewerton 8:09, Katie Trollope (Cambridge) 8:20, Rosie Young 8:35.

WELLINGTON
101st Vosseler Shield Mountain Races, Mt Victoria – 24 May 2025

Liam Chesney scored a narrow victory over last year’s national 5km road champion Eric Speakman, covering the 10km climb in 38:26, five seconds faster than Speakman.

National junior 800m and 1500m champion Joe Martin won the under 20 3km in 10:36.

Results:

Senior men 10km +398m: Liam Chesney (WHAC) 38:26, Eric Speakman (Victoria Univ) 38:31, Marcos Valero Palacios (Scottish) 39:39, Joel Carman (WHAC) 39:55, Thomas Callan (Scottish) 40:06, Lorcan Rabbitte (Victoria Univ) 40:15.

Master men 10km: Ryan Woolley (Scottish) 40:30, Edd Charlton-Weedy (Trentham) 40:57, Samuel Hansby (WHAC) 41:06.

Senior women 5km +203m: Madeleine Watson (Scottish) 23:34, Kumiko Otani (WHAC) 23:47, Deborah Lynch (Olympic) 24:15, Margot Gibson (WHAC) 24:22, Madeline Keown (Trentham) 24:32, Ella Creagh (WHAC) 24:55.

Master women 5km: Mel Brandon (Scottish) 23:40, Catriona Thurston (Olympic) 24:15, Katie Jenkins (Olympic) 25:29.

Master men M60 5km: Paul Hewitson (WHAC) 22:36, David Kettles (Scottish) 23:55, Graeme Butcher (Masterton) 24:44.

Men under 20 3km +104m: Joe Martin (Scottish) 10:36, Max Poland (Trentham) 10:50, Robert McGuigan (WHAC) 12:20.

Women under 20 3km: Maya Postrzygacz (Victoria Univ) 14:45.

Men under 18 3km: Bailey Rollo (HV) 12:57.

Women under 18 3km: Eva Green (Olympic) 14:27.

Men under 16 3km: Blair Waldrom (Trentham) 12:01, Gokul Sadguna (HV) 12:30, Reuben Hayne (HV) 13:50.

Women under 16 3km: Brooke Duffy (Masterton) 13:23, Kokoro Imazu (HV) 17:11.

Boys under 14 3km: Joel Ellis (Olympic) 13:14.

DUNEDIN
TK Cowan 8km Cross Country – 24 May 2025

Grayson Westgate 29:20, Graham Fisher 29:28, Nathan Shanks 30:09. Meg McKay 33:21, Aly Craigie 34:36, Kristy Eyles 35:13. 

5.5km: Lewis Anglemyer 27:03, Vincent Walters 31:00, Michael Bruhn 32:50. Alice Barach 27:19, Niamh Porter 29:37, Donna Tumaru 32:22.

ROAD AND TRAIL RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY 

AUCKLAND 

Good George 5km, North Wharf, Wynyard Quarter, 20 May: Harry Harris 18:01, Keith Burrows 18:04, Nick Holtum 18:11. Sophie Baillie 20:38.

Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 21 May: Ben Latch 18:21, Damon Nicholas 19:17, Tom Hanrahan 20:34.

Run Auckland 10km, Ambury Regional Park Mangere, 25 May: Yuki Otsuka 33:50, Julian Ng 36:47, Leon Dickison 38:36. Kirstee Scarpellini 41:10, Maia Cavanagh 41:57, Pip Tuckey 43:09.

WHAKAMARU

Waikato River Trail marathon, MiCamp, 24 May: 42.2km; Matthew Hallam 3:13:12, Brent Wilson 3:19:23, Richard Ellison 3:24:35. Mel Aitken 3:35:36. 21.1km; Deb Fuller 1:33:05, Ants Blackmoore 1:34:13.

NELSON
The Gearshop Ultra Trail Run, Cable Bay, 24 May: 50km; Aditya Kesarcodi-Watson 5:25:45, Jamie Hareb 5:45:27, Adam Gausel 5:53:48. Roisin McQuillan 6:59:01. 34km; Patrick Dravitzki 3:28:24. Charlotte Hand 3:58:00. 25km; Dougal Shepherd 2:25:48. Carmel Tolhurst 3:13:20.

OBITUARIES

Olympic hurdler Avis Millie Fletcher, formerly McIntosh, (nee Brain) from South Head, North Auckland, has passed away aged 87.
Avis won the following New Zealand titles: 100m 1963, 80m hurdles eight years in a row 1958-65, Long jump 1966. New Zealand records, seven in the hurdles 1961-64 and in 1961 the pentathlon and as a member of the 4 x 100m and 4 x 110 yards relay teams.
In the 1962 Perth British Empire and Commonwealth Games Avis finished first in her heat in 10.8s and earned the bronze medal in the final of the 80m hurdles in 11.4s. She also won the bronze medal in the 4 x 110 yards relay in 46.9s with Nola Bond, Yvonne Cowan and Doreen Porter.
In the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, as Olympian #190, Avis was third in her heat of the 80m hurdles in 10.8, and fifth in the first semi-final in 10.9. She was also fourth in her 100m heat in 12.0 and sixth in the first quarter final in 12.0.
Later in masters athletics she competed in the 1981 World Veteran Games in Christchurch and won the 80 m hurdles and was second in the 100 yards.
She achieved New Zealand masters records in the long jump, high jump, 100 metres, hammer, and discus all at 50 years of age. She then went on to get the records for discus, high jump, hammer, javelin and long jump at 60 years old. 
Not only a top hurdler in her day, Fletcher also competed in the long jump and cross country. Competing for the Lynndale Club she won 24 Auckland titles including ten straight in the hurdles, long jump five times, pentathlon three time, and high jump, 75 yards and 100 yards once each. She was also Auckland cross country champion for three years 1954-56.

Read more about Avis Fletcher in our legends section here.

Former national sprint hurdles champion and Empire Games representative Lionel Hill-Smith passed away in Tauranga on Wednesday 14 May 2025 aged 96. Lionel won the national 120 yards hurdles title in 1949 and the 220 yards hurdles titles in 1949 and 1950, representing Wellington.
He was the last surviving member of the New Zealand team at the 1950 Auckland British Empire Games. Lionel was third in his heat of the 120 yards hurdles and sixth in the final at the Games.
He was a retired sales manager and an Auckland Centre official at Mt Smart Stadium for many years. Lionel is the father of Kirsten Hellier (nee Smith), nine times national javelin throw champion, 1994 Commonwealth Games javelin throw silver medallist and Olympian number 673.

Past President and Life Member of Athletics Southland Jim Annear passed away in Timaru on Tuesday 20 May 2025 aged 98. He was a long-time track starter for Athletics Southland and a track official at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games and the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games. Jim received an Athletics New Zealand long service award in 2000. He is the father of Athletics New Zealand Life Member and World Athletics Veteran Pin and Plaque of Merit recipient Geoff Annear.