Lewer off to world junior Para champs
Last week I mentioned that Ben Langton-burnell and Hamish Kerr had been selected to represent New Zealand at the World University Games.
In the past week we have received confirmation that some Manawatu athletes have also gained national selection.
Jack Lewer has been selected to compete in the first world junior Para championships in Nottwill, Switzerland later in the year.
This is just reward for Jack who has set multiple New Zealand records during the just-concluded domestic season, competing regularly in both the Para and ablebodied events. Jack will compete in the F20 shot put at these championships.
Ben Langton-burnell will be hoping to add the Oceania javelin title to his New Zealand title when he joins the 55-strong New Zealand team selected for the Oceania area and combined events championships in Suva, Fiji on June 28 to July 1.
The championships will be contested in senior, under-20 and under-18 grades.
Joining Ben in Suva will be national heptathlon champion Ariana Blackwood, who will contest the 400m hurdles, as well as the heptathlon. Tessa Webb will compete in the under-18 grade 2km steeples, 1500m and 3000m.
Also included is Ashleigh Sando, a former Palmerston North Athletic and Harrier Club member.
Australia will be sending a team of 150 athletes and I was delighted to see Tia Brady, one of the athletes who was part of the Newcastle group that competed here a few years ago, has been included.
The latest news from athletes competing in California is that fast times and big fields continue to be the order of the day.
Competing in the Triton invitational meeting in San Diego last weekend, both Whanganui’s Grace Godfrey and our own Vanessa Story ran personal bests over 400m. Godfrey had the seventh-fastest time, running 56.94s.
Story found herself in the outside lane, but that didn’t stop her running her fastest 400m, running 59.42s.
Earlier in the tour, Godfrey also recorded a personal best time over 200m, when she ran 25.87s at the Beach Invitational at Long Beach.
Again the size of the fields are mind-boggling.
Vanessa also competed in the 100m and 200m at San Diego. Her time in the 100m of 13.58m had her ranked 43rd out of 49 competitors and in the 200m her time of 27.55s ranked her 51st out of 65 starters.
The tragic news during the week of the young man killed when he was hit by a train while out running is a timely reminder of the need for us all to take care.
While we do not know the exact circumstances of this tragedy, it was suggested he was wearing headphones and may not have heard the approaching train.
Wearing headphones is frowned upon while out running and is not allowed in athletics competition.
Many athletes do not appreciate the reasons why they are banned.
Athletes need to be able to hear any warning that may be shouted out. It could be a wayward throwing implement is heading their way.
As the days get shorter, many runners will now find their evening runs will be in the dark.
It becomes important they can be seen when out running, so the use of reflective clothing is highly recommended
The traditional start of the Harrier season is the Anzac relay at Scoutland Campsite near Wanganui on Anzac Day.
The day starts with the under-9 and under-12 races at 12.30pm.
The women’s relay is at 1.20pm, with the men’s event starting at 2pm.
All competitors are encouraged to wear a poppy. It is always a good meeting with lots of great rivalry within teams.
Manawatu Striders have reminded me May 28 is the date for their marathon, half-marathon, 10km and 5km events and entries are now open.
More details are available on their website.