Winter athletics upon us
Athletics Alan Adamson
With the track season now over, our eyes turn to other aspects of our sport. Last weekend, the New Zealand Mountain Running Championships were held in Wellington. Former Manawatu¯ Athletic and Harrier Club member Jim Jones took out second place in the M50 race and Rob Dabb was third in the M55 event.
Although clubs like the Feilding Moa Harriers have been up and running since the start of the month the traditional season opener for the cross-country and road season is the Anzac Relay, which Wanganui Harriers host at Scoutlands. This is a popular event with the shorter laps attracting both the harrier and track runners to have a go.
Not all our athletes have put their spikes away – four Manawatu¯ -Whanganui athletes are part of a tour to the United States. They had their first competition at the Triton Invitational last weekend.
North Island schools champion Tayla Brunger showed she could foot it with the best after winning her 200-metre heat in 25.06 seconds, the 12th best time of the 71 competitors. Her 400m time of 56.61s was the 8th best performance. Monique Whiteman competed in the same events, running 28.56s for her 200m and
62.60s in the 400m.
Jonathon Maples was close to personal bests, winning his heat of the 100m by running 11.39s, the 23rd best time out of the 53 competitors, and 22.77s for the 200m. Andre Hermandes ran in the 1500m, finishing with the 21st best time of 4m 5.20s.
❚ Although Hamish Kerr is now based in Christchurch we still like to treat him as one of our own.
Some great news in that he has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World University Games in Naples, Italy, from July 8 to 13. He has also been named as a conditional selection to compete at the IAAF World championships in Doha, Qatar, later in the year.
❚ May 26 is the date for the Manawatu¯ Striders’ marathon and half-marathon events and that is fast approaching. Some key dates for those wishing to enter: If you want your name printed on your race number you need to enter before April 30. May 12 is the last day before a late-entry fee applies.
❚ We love following outstanding achievements in other sports by club members. Anabel Romerogemmell is certainly making a name for herself on the squash courts.
Last week, she represented New Zealand as one of the under-13 competitors in the test series against Australia, going unbeaten in the two-match competition, helping New Zealand to a series victory.
Later in the week, competing in the Oceania Junior Squash Championships, she took out the under-13 title. She has a great future in the sport.
Anabel does not limit herself to squash and as well as competing at our club night, she helps her mother conduct the run, jump and throw section.