Athletics New Zealand – Athletics NZ Weekly Roundup

AUCKLAND
Sir John Walker Night of Miles, Mt Smart Stadium – 20 December 2014

Tannock Blair had the speed when it counted to out-sprint secondary schools 1500m champion Jordan Rackham and win the Sir John Walker invitation junior mile on Saturday evening.

The 18 year old from Christchurch cut six seconds off his previous best recording 4:18.89. Rackham from Southland clocked 4:19.54 and Theunis Pieters from Hamilton was third in 4:21.50.
Blair said it was a huge surprise to win.
“It was a really strong field and I had an injury earlier in the season and I wasn’t sure that I was going to hold up as well as I did against these guys,” said Blair.
“My plan was to save a lot of energy for the last lap. I spent the first two laps at the back and then made my way to the front area with 400m to go. The stamina gave me enough energy to finish as fast as I wanted,” he added.

Rackham who was second last year in 4:14.07 said that he was feeling tired after three weeks of competition in the North Island.
“Obviously getting sick on the outset wasn’t the best. Today I adopted a different tactic because everyone would expect me to kick 300m out, so I kicked a little earlier and dropped off on the back straight which kind of showed the real let down in the race because I didn’t want to go with them because there was going to be too much a change of pace and then letting him go in front so I didn’t take the legs out, gave him five metres at the end. I’m pretty tired at the moment so I’ll go home back to the drawing board and do some training and I’ll come back up for the Classics all three of them and then back to the serious work two months to go till the New Zealand and Aussie champs,” said Rackham.
Other placings in the race, Guy Kilmister 4th4:21.94, Sean Eustace 5th 4:23.21, Mracus Karamanolis 6th 4:23.81, Nathan Tse 7th 4:24.21, Jacob Priddey 8th 4:24.31, Conal Wilson 9th 4:26.47, Matt Prest 10th 4:26.91, Harry Ewing 11th 4:27.16, Luke Fielding 12th 4:33.76.

Sir John Walker was impressed with the standard of the race.
“It was a very competitive field in trying conditions and it was a good race.
“The whole of athletics is looking good at the moment right across the board,” he said.

Tim Stewart of Hamilton won the open mile in 4:25.06 and Sophie Rees the women’s mile in 5:09.01.
It was the first track race this season for Stewart, coming a week after running a half marathon in Taupo in 1:15:16.
“I was just looking for a leg turnover rather than getting the results. It was quite a slow time considering the conditions, but I felt confident during the race and It’s a good start,” said Stewart.
His next goal is the Capital Classic 3000m New Zealand championship.
“I’m then overseas for five weeks on a graduation trip,” he added.
Rees led throughout the women’s mile.
“I just started out and it didn’t feel particularly fast so I thought I may as well just take it out myself and see how it goes and then in the last lap just sprint it in to hold everyone off,” she said.

Theo Quax, son of former world 5000m record holder and Olympic silver medallist Dick Quax, won the colt mile in convincing fashion in 4:50.95.

Alana Barber recorded a fast 6:35.23 in the mile walk with Jared Free finishing in 6:41.77.
“That’s my best by far. I don’t do a lot of mile races and I haven’t done one for about three years and the last one I was struggling to break eight minutes, so it’s really nice to come back here after being away for two years in England and come back and do a time like that is a great feeling,” said Barber.
“Something has kind of clicked in the last six months so that’s meant that everything has improved. My training times have improved and it is so easy to do PBs by huge amounts,” she added.
Alana puts a lot of her success down to the support from her partner Olympian Quentin Rew.
“He has been a big reason why I have improved so much because he has been there to help me and give me support and advice, he’s so knowledgeable and he’s a physio so he’s got that kind of understanding and background.”
Long term Barber is looking to the world championships in Beijing in August.
“It’s going to be difficult, I’ve got some overseas races, the next one being in Adelaide at the end of February, so that’s the next big race I’m targeting.
“I’m going over to Australia straight after Christmas to train there and get used to the hot temperatures and to train with some girls who are better than me, so that will really help,” she added.

National 400m hurdles champion Cameron French of Hamilton headed in a top field in the rarely raced 300m in 33.09. Tama Toki was second in 33.11 and Andrew Whyte third in 33.36.

Campbell Wu, who set a New Zealand under 17 300m hurdles record of 37.71 in 2009, won the 60m in 7.30 (-2.8) and 100m in 11.41 (-2.5) in his first outing this season. Larissa Dyke up from Dunedin won the women’s 60m in 7.98 (-2.2). Niven Longopoa clocked 7.47 (-2.8) in the 60m before going on to long jump 6.74m (+1.2). Nicholas Southgate, holder of the New Zealand U/17, U/18 and U/19 pole vault records in his first competition this season, cleared 4.80m. Elizabeth Lamb was over at 1.80m in the high jump in difficult conditions. Portia Bing won the long jump 5.73m (+2.9) also 5.57m (+1.4) and was second in the high jump 1.75m. Jerram Huston SP 14.64m and in the discus Marshall Hall 50.13m and Siositina Hakeai 52.71m.

Auckland City Athletics Meeting, Mt Smart Stadium – 17 December 2014
Stuart Farquhar JT 78.33m, Ben Langton-Burnell 72.77m, Alex Wood 48.09m. Stephanie Wrathall 46.27m. Isaac Tatoa 60m 7.23 (-1.8), 100m 11.36 (+0.9). Niven Longopoa 110m H 914 15.25 (+0.4). Steven Langdon 800m 1:59.17. Josh Maisey 3000m 9:06.85. Hayden Rodger 9:07.86. Alex Parlane 5000m 15:18.46.

WELLINGTON
21st Scottish Night of Miles, Newtown Park – 20 December 2014
Hamish Carson comfortably won the elite mile in 4:11.83 after a 60 second last lap. Malcolm Hodge was second in 4:21.88 with Dougal Thorburn third in 4:24.63. Tina Harris overcame a challenge from Nicole Mitchell to win the women’s mile in 4:57.17, Mitchell recording 5:03.38. Quentin Rew back from his record breaking visit to Melbourne showed style and speed to win the mile walk in an impressive 5:58.85. Sean Lake was second in 8:24.23 and Fraser Samson was third in 8:33.98. Harry Burnard won the junior men’s mile in 4:51.62 from Tom England 4:56.76. The allcomers mile was won by Allan Brent, a visitor from Wanaka who led in a field of 48, including a fit Santa, in 4:52.04. Saravee Sos won the sprint double, 10.97 (+0.3) for 100m and 22.64 (-0.6) for 200m. Nicholas Smith was second in the 100m in 11.10. Ariana Harper won the 800m in 2:16.27. James Hutchens LJ 6.33m (+1.3). Over 200 athletes took part in the meeting which enjoyed perfect conditions, the rain started just after the meeting ended. All entry fees were donated by Scottish and all takings from the food stalls were donated by Wellington Harrier Athletic Club to the Mary Potter Hospice with $1,100 raised.

CHRISTCHURCH
Athletics Canterbury Meeting, Rawhiti Domain – 20 December 2014
Caitlyn George 100m 12.91 (-1.2). Jesse Park TJ 10.29m (+2.7). Rosie Robinson 2000m walk 9:09.83. Rebecca Gillett 300m H 47.32. Georgie Freeman (16) 200m 26.59 (-1.2), LJ 5.09m (-0.3), TJ 10.19m (+0.6). Larissa McKewen 1kg DT 39.98m, 3kg HT 34.00m. Ngarama O’Keefe 3kg SP 11.62m. Jarvis Hansen (16) 60m 7.41 (+0.4), 100m 11.59 (-1.2), 200m 23.76 (+1.4). Angus Bailey (16) 400m 55.86, 800m 2:05.23, 1500m 4:22.22. Ben Loh TJ 12.33m (+1.5). Cameron Avery 3000m 9:07.22, Angela Whyte 3000m 10:56.48.

DUNEDIN
Athletics Otago Meeting including Otago 10,000m championships, Caledonian Ground – 20 December 2014
Hugh McLeod-Jones 1.5kg DT 42.06m, 5kg SP 13.64m, 700g JT 53.25m. Mayce Ballantyne 4kg HT 44.09m. Todd Bates 7.26kg HT 51.32m, Michael Scholten 42.24m. Bradley Tarleton 5kg HT 54.32m. Rory McSweeney F44 800g JT 46.58m. Holly Robinson F47 600g JT 32.08m, LJ 4.37m (+1.1). Felix McDonald LJ 6.23m (0.0), 400m 51.61. Anna Grimaldi F47 LJ 5.00m (+0.60. Hanna English 1500m 4:39.23. Samuel Bremer 1500m 4:01.48. Madaline Spence 400m 59.33. Liz Wilson 400m 61.87, an Otago master women’s record.
Jonah Smith 10,000m Otago championship 36:49.28.

AUSTRALIA
Sydney Treloar Shield, SOPAC, 13 December: Warren Button HT 54.72m.

VALERIE ADAMS WINS LONSDALE CUP FOR UNPRECEDENTED FIFTH TIME
IAAF world female athlete of the year Valerie Adams has again been awarded the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Lonsdale Cup.
Adams has secured the prestigious award for the unprecedented fifth time after remaining unbeaten throughout 2014. She took gold at the World Indoor Championships and the Commonwealth Games and secured her position as overall winner of the Diamond League for the fourth consecutive time with a record 56 wins. Adams was the flag bearer for the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team this year in Glasgow.

The Lonsdale Cup goes to the athlete or team who made the most outstanding contribution to Olympic or Commonwealth sport in the preceding year. Adams is the first person to win the Lonsdale Cup five times.

Kereyn Smith, New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO highlighted Adams’ commitment to youth and sport, as well as her performance on the field.
“Valerie’s achievements inspire millions of New Zealanders. She is also very engaged with young Kiwis, encouraging them to be active and healthy,” said Smith.
“Her success on the world’s stage speaks for itself and her ability to remain at the top of her game is testament to her sheer determination to excel,” she added.
Adams was honoured to receive the Cup after a challenging year.
“This is such a privilege and honour and I am very humbled. While it’s been a difficult year for me, there have been some special highs along the way including the honour of carrying the New Zealand flag at the Commonwealth Games. Receiving the Lonsdale Cup is another highlight for me, I really want to thank the New Zealand Olympic Committee for this special award,” she said.

Adams won the Lonsdale Cup in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013 and was the first person to be awarded the Cup for a third, fourth and fifth time.
The Cup was first presented in 1961 to Sir Murray Halberg.

STEVE HOLLINGS NOW DR HOLLINGS
Athletics New Zealand statistician Steve Hollings received his PhD from AUT University last Thursday. His (research) thesis was “The transition from elite junior athlete to successful senior athlete and the implications for athletics high performance programmes”.

ROAD RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY
Auckland
O’Hagan’s Viaduct 5km, 16 December: Chris Wharam 16:49, Sam Williams 16:55, John Mauro 17:09.
Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 17 December: Nick Lichtwark 17:32, Shaun Cooper 19:12, Matt Downs 19:21.
Cornwall Park 5km, 20 December: Max Mackay 17:57, Bruce Duncan 18:08, Daniel Guan-Ming Chen 18:16.

Hamilton
Eastside 5km, 16 December: Kent Hodgson 16:50, John Crane 16:52, Adam McCarthy 17:19.
Parkrun 5km, 20 December: Michael Mannings 17:22, Benjamin Moody 18:28, Travis Sperry 18:42.

Tauranga
Smiths Sports Shoes Everyone’s 5km, 18 December: Michael Pugh 16:42, John Caie 17:03, Sally Gibbs (51) 17:32 (just three seconds outside her New Zealand masters W50 5000m track record) third overall.

Wellington
Lifestyle Sports Waterfront 5km Series, 16 December: Hamish Carson 14:51 (12 seconds outside course record), Nick Horspool 15:31, Stephen Day 15:56, Matt Dravitzki 15:57. Fiona Blackmore 19:43. Walk Terri Grimmett 32:36.
Porirua Parkrun 5km, 20 December: Warwick Smith 18:47.
Lower Hutt Parkrun 5km, 20 December: Andrew Crosland 17:47, Alastair Willis 17:55, Peter Dyer 18:39.

Christchurch
Hagley Parkrun 5km, 20 December: Samuel Murphy 16:34, Andrew Reese-Jones 18:02, Steve Murdoch 18:29.

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

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