Athletes unfazed by wet weather

A wet Tuesday evening meant there was a reduced number of competitors and a restricted club night programme.

Only track events were held due to safety concerns and field events not conducted.

In the 7-year-old girls races, Violet Petrova Parrott and Phoebe Singleton had some close races, with Violet winning the 60m and 300m races and Phoebe the 100m.

Carter Jay Schultz won the boys 7 races over 60m and 100m, with Harrison Munday claiming victory in the 300m.

Greer Robinson had a busy night winning the 60m, 100m, 300m and 600m race in the girls 9 grade.

Competitors to complete the treble by winning their 60m, 100m and 300m races were Ella Singleton in the girls 10 races, Hannah Cadzow in the girls 14 events and Kimberley Walsh in the women’s grade.

Tane Garcia Soto won the 100m and 300m in the boys B9 grade.

Beau Kennedy won the 60m in the boys 11 races, with Ryker Luamanuvae Su’a winning the 100m.

In the girls 11 race, Julia Hutchison won the 60m and 100m, but couldn’t beat Ella James in the 300m.

Juliet McKinlay, G13, and William Rolfe, B14, completed victory doubles in the 60m and 100m.

The senior men shared the victories, with Forbes Kennedy winning the 60m, Angus Lyver the 100m and Aden Porritt 300m.

The distance runners elected to compete in the shorter distances, with most racing the 1000m.

Sam Stitchbury set a hot pace, leading through to the 600m mark in 1m 28.10s.

Greg Austin was first to complete the 1000m in 2m 47.62s, with James Conwell next in 2m 56.81s.

The women’s race was won by Ellen Schaef in 3m 13.0s from Courtney Fitzgibbon in 3m 16.50s and Stephanie Walker in 3m17.93s.

Schaef is a welcome addition to the training group.

She is a former nationally ranked middle-distance athlete who took a break from the sport ,but now appears to be enjoying her time training with the local group.

Saturday’s round of the Central region teams competition in Masterton will be the first meeting since the introduction of the Covid19 traffic light system.

Wairarapa is at the orange traffic light setting, which allows the event to go aheadas a vaccine passport event, which allows an unlimited number of people in the venue, and everyone must show a passport to enter.

There will be checks, so competitors and supporters are asked to arrive early to ensure they are not caught waiting at the gate to get in.

There has been a major change in the programming for this competition.

The Covid-19 restrictions in place for the Palmerston North meeting meant the competition was split into four separate meetings.

This concept was successful and a similar format will be used for the Masterton meeting.

Programme:

Distance programme: 10.30am 800m, 10.50am 3000m/5000m/walk, 11.20am 1500m.

Throws programme: 10.30am shot put women/men, 12pm javelin women/men, 1pm discus women/ men, 2.30pm hammer women/men.

Springs programme: 12pm 70/80/100/110mH, 12.30pm 100m, 12.50pm 400m, 1.10pm 200m, 1.30pm long hurdles.

Jumps programme: 10.30am long jump men, 2pm high jump women/ men, 1.45pm long jump women, 3pm triple jump women/men.

Throws programme: 10.30am shot put women/men, 12pm javelin women/men, 1pm discus women/ men, 2.30pm hammer women/men.

The Palmerston North club is hosting the Arthur Eustace and Palmerston North Ribbon Day at the Manawatu¯ Community Athletics Track on Saturday.

The entry fee is $5, paid on the day.

Because the event is operating under the orange traffic light system, the club requires all attendees over 12 (competitors, officials, parents, and spectators) to sign in either manually or using the QR codes and provide proof of vaccination on entry.

Please also follow the entry and exit signs around the track, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask if you’re a spectator.

The schedule is available on the club website and Facebook page.