Athletics season draws near
The track season is not far away, with the Palmerston North club likely to commence their season on the first Tuesday in October. Dates to keep free are the three rounds of the regional teams competition, starting in Inglewood on October 28, the second round in Whanganui on November 4, with the final round in Masterton on November 18.
The Manawatu Community Athletics Track will be the venue for the North Island track and field championships on December 8.
That will probably be the last major event on the track before it is scheduled to be resurfaced in January.
For those not so keen keen on running on the track, there are a number of events to look forward to.
Manawatu Striders have made a few changes to their Kahuterawa Classic, which will now be a oneday event on October 14 with their Ashhurst to Esplanade event programmed for November 19.
Feilding Moa have let me know that entries are now open for their November 4 series.
On this day they will be conducting their marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km runs.
If you are thinking at having a go at the marathon or half marathon and are not certain how to go about it, the club is offering a free all-youneed-to-know training initiative where experienced marathon runners will answer your questions and help you achieve your aim.
The first session will start from the Feilding Moa clubrooms on Wednesday, August 23 at 6pm.
One of the people leading these sessions is Perry Newburn, who will shortly set off on his next challenge running from Cape Reinga to the Bluff.
Starting on September 4, Perry is hoping to be able to complete the journey in under the 18-day record set by Siggy Bauers.
His task will be much harder as the closure of State Highway 1 through Kaikoura means he will have to cover additional mileage using the inland route.
There were some good results for local athletes from the Athletics Manawatu-wanganui road championships last Saturday.
Feilding Moa proved to be very strong in the masters events with Mark Evans (M35), Scott Whitley (M45), Perry Newbury (M60), Colin Clark (M70), Rosie Mcintyre (W35) and Jo Speary (W50) all claiming titles.
In the younger grades, titles went to Benjamin Wall (M18), Lachlan Drew (B11), Reuben Duker (B13), Hayley Cornwall (G11) and Bella Ives (G15).
David Lovelock (senior men), Andrew Davenport (M50), Bradyn Popow (open walk), Kylah Gunn (G13) and Lucy Cadzow (G9) were the Palmerston North Athletic and Harrier Club members to claim titles.
This week we will be focused on the performances of our two Palmerston North club athletes competing at the World University Games in Taipei.
Hamish Kerr is first up, competing in the high jump qualification round on Wednesday. His final is on Friday. The qualification round for Ben Langton-burnell’s javelin is being contested on Thursday, with his final on Saturday.
What’s on. August 23-28: World University Games, Taipei.
August 26: Feilding Moa Turkey Trot, Timona Park, Feilding.
August 27: Ashhurst Athletic Club AGM, Ashhurst RSA.
September 2: NZ road championships, Christchurch.
September 10: Winter track and field series, Palmerston North.