More than 1000 top high school track and field athletes from around the country are set to compete in Timaru next month.
It is the third time Timaru has hosted the prestigious New Zealand Secondary Schools Track, Field and Road Race Championships.
Notably it will be the first time the three-day competition has been held on the newly resurfaced Aorangi Park allweather athletics track.
Local organising committee (LOC) chairwoman Helen Mackle said it was great to bring the competition to Timaru again.
‘‘It is exciting to host it here because it showcases the region, Timaru and the surrounding areas.
‘‘We’ve just got the new Mondo surface on the track and a new hammer cage, it gives us the opportunity to continue to update our facilities here and just make it hum.
‘‘You obviously also have people travelling from all over the place to compete so the town does well.’’
The three-day competition will begin on Friday, December 6 and feature all the classic track and field events like pole vault, triple jump, long jump, shot put, discus, javelin, steeplechase, relays, hurdles, high jump, race walking and all the track running distances.
The Road Race champs will take place at Caroline Bay on the final day from 9am-11am.
Mackle said it was great to be a part of an LOC that was similar to previous years’ editions.
‘‘I was the secretary for the first one in 2009 and chair for the one in 2015.
‘‘You get to know the people you’re working with and you know what they’re good at and not so good at and then you bring others in that you can rely on.
‘‘We’ve all had that experience in the past, it now being our third one.’’
She said she was very thankful for the efforts of LOC members Don Garland, Reg Brockett, John Gamblin, Amanda Everett, Dave Thorp and Janelle Amalfitano in helping making the event happen.
LOC media liaison Don Garland said there would be a number of South Canterbury athletes to keep an eye on.
‘‘We have the like of Ella Waldron, Bella Thin, Charlotte Blake, Sienna Wright, Zaylee Davis and Ethan Hole who are definitely some of the ones to look out for.
‘‘Monty Kopua from Opihi College has been training to come, he doesn’t really do athletics club but he won the triple jump for the South Island champs.
‘‘It’s a really good opportunity for them all, a lot of our top athletes come through the track and field system.’’
Garland said he was appreciative of the 70 Athletics New Zealand officials that were travelling to the event.
‘‘Just like any sport you can’t go on without the people in the back rooms.’’
Friday’s opening day will begin at 12pm and conclude at 5pm; there will be a $5 admission fee for that day.
Saturday will run from 9am-5pm and Sunday will run from 9am-4pm, with each day being $10 to attend.
A three-day pass for the competition is available for $20.
School-age and preschool children are free.
Entries for the competition closed on Monday, but late entries may be accepted with a fee.
