Rain eases as Colgate Games conclude
The Normanby Amateur Athletics Club brought a team of 30 to Whanganui.
Manager Karen Brooks said outside of the weather, the trip had been a success.
“This is a great locality. You are close to the marshalling tent, and you’re close to where you see the results. We’ve got a corporate box as well.”
The team stayed at the Whanganui Collegiate School for the weekend.
“Originally, it was meant to be in Palmerston North, so we booked the perfect motel over there. Then, in June, it was changed to Whanganui and everyone was scrambling for accommodation.
“Collegiate has been brilliant. There are five teams, plus officials, staying there.”
Glenn Miscall, from the Mana Amateur Athletic Club, said it was his first time in Whanganui for a running meet.
“You can’t pick the weather — it’s just one of those things. We’re used to it down home, anyway.
“We are staying with family, and some of us have a beautiful Airbnb up the [Whanganui] river.
“This venue is great. There are two grandstands and banks for viewing. I think it’s probably better than Palmerston [North], where it was going to be.”
The club brought 17 athletes to town.
“We’ve done quite well for a little club. We got gold in the mixed medley [14 years old], and we’re chuffed with that,” Miscall said.
“If there’s thunder and lightning, events might get delayed, but you can run in the rain, no problem at all.”
Hobbs said she began competing at the age of five.
“Back then, it was running relays and jumping through hula hoops. It was literally just fun.
“The cool thing about athletics is there are clubs all over the place. It’s an easy sport to get into from a young age.”
As for 2023, she planned to have more of an international season, and that meant a very long year.
“We’ve got the world champs in August. That’s the target, and that should capture the Paris Olympic qualification window.”