News & Updates

7 January 2023 • Track and Field

Whelpton opens his 2023 season in sensational style

Tiaan Whelpton ran a scintillating wind-aided 100m time of 10.14 at the Lovelock Classic in Timaru. Credit: (Mario Oostendorp).

Sprint ace Tiaan Whelpton took centre stage at a wet and windy Lovelock Classic in Timaru today as he blasted to a brilliant victory in the men’s 100m, clocking a dazzling time of 10.14 (+3.6m/s).

The Christchurch Old Boys United athlete opened his 2023 campaign in style with the only disappointment for the 22-year-old speedster – the fact the windspeed reading was above the allowable limit to register as a PB, which remains the 10.18 time he recorded at the Potts Classic in Hastings 12 month ago.

Cody Wilson (Mana) clocked 10.70 for second with Jackson Rodgers (Aspiring Athletics) posting a slick 10.75 for third.

Whelpton, who drove down from Christchurch earlier in the day, said: “I couldn’t be much happier because my goal today was just to have some fun. It is rainy and cold, so I’m stoked with the time.

“It felt good. I was a bit worried after the long drive, but I did a couple of practise blocks and felt pretty good. I can’t complain. I had a good start and just let the wind carry me the rest of the way.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the summer campaign following his outstanding start at Aorangi Stadium he said: “I’m super excited. The best time I’ve ran at Lovelock before today was 10.43 – and I smashed that. It is the quickest I’ve been this early in the season, so who knows what this means for Potts and the other races

“I’ve come out the winter block stronger than I’ve ever been before, faster than ever and I’ve focused a lot more on recovery, so my body in good nick. I wasn’t expecting the time to be this quick so early in the season.”

Versatile sprint ace Rosie Elliott completed an impressive 100m and 400m double – with a little under a ten-minute turnaround between both races – as she opened her 2023 campaign in winning fashion.

The 2022 World Championship 400m representative and national champion over the one lap distance claimed an eye-catching victory in the 100m, clocking 11.79 (+2.8m/s) to triumph from Jorja Gibbons (12.42) before returning to the track for the 400m which she won in a meet record 55.53 – almost three seconds shy of her PB. Struggling with a sore hamstring she withdrew from the women’s 200m.

“It wasn’t the conditions we were hoping for and my body has been feeling pretty sore after some hard weeks of training,” said Elliott. “But all things considered I can’t complain. I achieved 95 per cent of the things I wanted to in the 100m, but it was incredibly challenging to then run the 400m on a nine-and-a-half-minute turnaround. It was a strong headwind down the back straight, I’m not that experienced in the 400m and I will take time to reflect on the performance and write down some notes tomorrow.”

Elliott will next be in action in the 100m and the 400m at the Potts Classic in Hastings on 21 January.

Versatile New Zealand Mountain Running champion Cameron Avery stepped up his preparations for the World Cross Country Championships next month by claiming a thrilling victory in the feature Lovelock Mile in a PB of 4:16.87.

Avery, the 2022 New Zealand Cross Country silver medallist, made his winning move with 500m remaining and the Christchurch Avon athlete could not be caught as he trimmed 0.94 from his previous best time over the classic distance.

The fast-finishing Ethan Smolej (Papanui Toc H) accelerated past Tom Moulai down the home stretch to wipe almost two seconds from his mile PB – recorded when fourth in this race two years ago – clocking 4:18.38. Moulai (University of Canterbury) finished 0.37 further back to round out the podium.

Entering the mile for “a bit of fun” on his way down to Twizel for a holiday, Avery said: “My coach, Chris Pilone, advised me not to hit the front before 600m and I was happy to sit at the back as Daniel Prescott went through the first 800m in 2:18. I love that long extended sprint for home, so I went with 500m to go and really put the hammer down. I had a gap with around 300m to go, and I was able to hold them off. I’m happy to run the last 800m in a sub-two (minutes).”

Avery intends to race the New Zealand 3000m Championship at the Team Ledger Harcourts Capital Classic on February 3 as his final preparation before he competes in the senior men’s 10km race at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia.

Rebekah Greene shattered the race record to take a commanding victory in the women’s mile, recording a time of 4:42.46. The Hill City – University AC athlete took control from the outset to power clear of the field with Tillie Hollyer (Whippets) hacking almost five seconds from her PB to claim second in 4:45.87.

National senior women’s 800m champion Holly Manning placed a solid third in 4:46.50. Rosa Twyford of University of Canterbury AC set a PB of 4:48.16 for fourth with her club-mate Katherine Camp, who had won the previous four editions of this race, settling for fifth in 4:53.10

After a slow first 200m, Greene hit the front and slowly cranked up the pace, opening up a clear gap on the field on lap three to stride out victory and lower the previous race record held by Camp at 4:44.24 from 2020.

Greene, who since August has been coached by Craig Kirkwood and like Avery competes at the World Cross Country Championships, said: “Once I hit the front, I tried to wind it up and get faster on each lap. I was not too sure what the gap was because Tillie as the local athlete had lots of people cheering her on, so she seemed right behind me. I tried not to look back and just stayed as relaxed as I could for as long as possible.

“I was pleased with the performance. It would have been nice if it hadn’t been so windy and to have had pacemakers to run in the lower 4:30s, but to get the win was a real privilege.”

Elsewhere, Shay Veitch completed an impressive men’s 200m and long jump double. In the former event he recorded a slick 21.67 with the benefit of a 2.8m/s tailwind to finish clear of Jackson Rodgers 21.85 and former national 200m champion Cody Wilson (21.89).

Given the difficult conditions, New Zealand senior men’s 400m champion John Gerber (Hill City) produced an impressive performance to claim a comprehensive victory in the men’s one-lap race, posting 48.87.

National senior men’s javelin champion Jared Neighbours (Christchurch Old Boys) was a massive presence in the men’s throws as he claimed victory in the men’s javelin (57.12m), men’s shot (12.86m) and placed runner-up in the men’s discus. In the latter event, Neighbours hurled the 2kg discus 45.52m but the star of the show was national bronze medallist Kieran Fowler (Athletics Taieri) who set a PB and meet record of 52.03m to take out the win. Neighbours also placed second in the men’s 110m hurdles, clocking 16.44 (+2.5m/s) to finish 1.03 behind his club-mate Masaki Tomooka.

New Zealand heptathlon champion Christina Ryan enjoyed a busy and productive day winning three events and finishing runner up in another two at Aorangi Stadium. The Christchurch Old Boys United athlete triumphed in the women’s 100m hurdles in 14.97 (+2.1m/s) before later earning top spot in the shot (11.69m) and long jump with a best of 5.83m (+3.5m/s).

Ryan had to settle for second in the javelin with a best of 32.92m – as Alexa Duff (Hill City) won with a PB of 39.29m – and second in the 200m, recording 25.90 (+3.0m/s) just 0.06 behind the race victor Micayla Whiti (Athletics Richmond).

New Zealand and Oceania U20 high jump champion Adam Stack (Christchurch Old Boys United) triumphed in the senior men’s high jump with a handy 2.03m clearance.

For full results go here