Walking to success: Teen impresses each time he races

Martin’s most recent success was winning the Norman Reid Memorial 10km walk, an annual event held in memory of Norm Reid, who won the 50km road walk at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

One of the region’s most talented athletes is Whanganui’s Lucas Martin.

The 15-year-old is a stylish race walker who continues to impress each time he steps on to the start line.

His most recent success was on Sunday, when he travelled to Taranaki and convincingly took out the Norman Reid Memorial 10-kilometre walk, an annual event held in memory of Norm Reid, who won the 50km road walk at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Martin finished almost 14 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, recording a winning time of 48 minutes and 19 seconds, 6s faster than the time he recorded on the track when he won the New Zealand under-20 title at the national championships in Christchurch in March.

He also makes a valuable contribution off the track and is regularly seen helping with the electronic timing at Cooks Gardens.

The New Zealand Secondary School Athletic Association executive have confirmed their Cross Country Championships will now be held in Hawera on the weekend of September 19-20, as long as New Zealand remains at Covid-19 alert level 1.

This is great news for local runners, many of whom will be familiar with the course, having competed there at the popular Hughes Memorial.

The date of the championships clashes with the General Election, so eligible voters attending should consider voting earlier.

The regional track calendar is starting to take shape, with confirmation this year there will be three meetings in the winter track series.

The opening event will be in Masterton on July 26. Palmerston North will hold the second meeting on September 6, before the final meeting is in Masterton on September 26.

With the New Zealand Secondary School Track and Field Championships having been put back a week to December 11-13, the dates for the Regional Teams’ Competition have also been adjusted, keeping with the original intention of holding the meetings as lead-in events for the schools’ championship.

The new schedule has the first meeting in Hastings on October 31. The second meeting, in Whanganui, is on November 14 before Masterton hosts the final meeting on November 28.

Contact tracing is still playing an important part in the fight against Covid-19 and it is great to hear that Massey University has now arranged a QR code for the Manawatu¯ Community Athletic Track.

The code has been printed and displayed there on the noticeboard and below the timing shed.

This is for the Government app, which people can download on their phone and scan as they use the facility, and replaces the people-tracing process previously in place. I encourage people to use this.

The past week was National Volunteer Week, a great opportunity to reflect on the wonderful contribution volunteersmake.

Volunteers are the backbone of our sport and their efforts are often taken for granted.

Often, it is the small things that are important and appreciated, so a thank you can go a long way.

Something I remember from many years ago was being part of the start team at the National Championships at QE2 Park in Christchurch before the earthquakes.

Between events we were sitting in the stand when Valerie Adams walked past, greeting us with a cheery ‘‘good morning starters, have a great day’’.

This has stuck in my memory, especially as we do not officiate in events she takes part in.

Athletics New Zealand have put out an article showing why appreciating volunteers is important and list a number of ways clubs and their members can show their appreciation.

There are some great ideas I am certain clubs can follow up.