28-02-2011, 01:26 PM
WELLINGTON
Athletics, Newtown Stadium ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Olympic silver medallist Nick Willis overcame emotion in running a well-paced sub-four minute mile on Saturday evening.
An hour after finally being presented with his Beijing Olympic silver medal, and in a meeting he organised as a fund-raiser for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake, Willis clocked 3m 58.37s into a stiff Wellington southerly.
The minor places were filled by Willis' American training mates. Will Leer was second in a time of 3m 58.80s, and Brandon Bethke third in 4m 00.04s. Hamish Carson was fourth in 4m 10.00s, followed by Matt Lambert 4m 10.02s and Aaron Pulford 4m 18.25s.
Another training partner, top-ranked American middle distance runner Alan Webb, who earlier in the evening ran the 800m, helped the early peacemaking as the field reeled off 60 second laps after a 58sec for the opening 400m.
Willis, tucked in behind, was given a luxury ride as Webb pulled out with 600m to go and Leer took over at the front.
With 200m to go, Willis eased into the lead, wound up the tempo and edged out Leer in the last 50 metres.
"The first 300m felt awesome but then we hit the home straight with a tail wind. The pacemaker really accelerated, and that didn't feel good on the legs," he said afterwards.
"I thought maybe the emotion of the occasion had made me fatigued, but I was able to recompose."
Willis was particularly grateful at the load taken up by his American training partners.
"They told me after the medal ceremony they'd be willing to take the lead after the rabbit pulled out, because of all the emotion," he said.
"I owe a lot to them that I didn't have to go out and make that sacrifice at the front. That really helped me to have the confidence that, despite the fatigue and tiredness, I'd be there for the last 100m and then it was just whoever had the most at the end."
Willis finished third at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was elevated to second after winner Rashid Ramzi tested positive for a blood-boosting drug.
The Lower Hutt runner was due to finally be presented with his silver medal at the international track meeting scheduled for Christchurch on Saturday evening.
But with the event cancelled because of Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake, International Olympic Committee member Barry Maister instead presented Willis with his medal in an emotional ceremony at the hastily organised meeting.
Glen Ballam won the 800m in 1m 51.01s, from Tim Hawkes 1m 51.79s and Webb 1m 52.16s. Anna Roche won the womenââ¬â¢s 1500m in 4m 31.12s, from Sarah Drought 4m 31.98s and Caroline Mellsop 4m 32.72s. Evan Cooper won the menââ¬â¢s 1500m in 3m 54.32s, from Jesse Patel 3m 56.97s and Cary Chaffe 3m 58.61s.
In the long jump Ryan Roselli was out to 7.28m (+0.9) and Brendan Barnett went six centimetres further than his New Zealand M16 record with 7.19m (+1.9). James Hutchens was third with 7.02m (0.0). Andrew Kennedy won the 100m in 10.94s (+0.1) from Alex Jordan 10.99s. Jordan won the 200m earlier in the afternoon in 21.37s (+1.9) from Joseph Millar 22.25s. Elise McIlroy won the womenââ¬â¢s 100m in 12.81s (+2.4) and the 200m in 26.47s (+2.1).
Upwards of 2000 people attended the meeting and $20,100 was collected for the Christchurch relief fund appeal.
AUCKLAND
Oââ¬â¢Haganââ¬â¢s Viaduct Harbour 5km Series ââ¬â 22 February 2011
James Kuegler won in 16m 18s, from Andy Hughes 16m 25s and Gavin Stevens 16m 48s. Camel Hanly recorded 17m 40s.
Takapuna 5km Rat Race, Milford ââ¬â 23 February 2011
Andrew Cave won in 16m 48s, from Brett Katterns 18m 52s. Tracey Henderson recorded 21m 24s.
HAMILTON
Eastside 5km River Run ââ¬â 22 February 2011
Steven Smith won in 16m 27s, 10 seconds ahead of Phil Murray with John Crane third in 17m. Helen Rountree was the first woman in 18m 32s.
TAURANGA
Waikato Bay of Plenty Track & Field Championships, Tauranga Domain ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Ryan Howe won the M19 100m in 10.98s (+1.9) and a record in the long jump 7.37m (+1.9). Cameron French M19 200m 22.55s (+2.9) and 400m 51.74s. Bennet Rogers M16 400m 52.08s. Julian Oakley M19 800m 1m 54.93s and 1500m 4m 4.06s. Thomas McLaughlin M16 800m 1m 58.74s. Scott Hilliar M16 1500m 4m 4.97s. Phil Simms M19 400m hurdles 56.13s and long jump 6.41m (+0.8). Matthew Holcroft M16 5000m walk 24m 4.32s. Joseph Reynolds record in the M16 high jump 1.96m. Alex Colvin M16 triple jump 13.16m (+2.2), Luke Davison M16 javelin throw 54.45m.
Mariah Ririnui won the W19 100m in 12.72s (+1.6), Talia Horgan won the W16 200m in 25.93s (+0.8) and 400m in 58.49s. Maggie Unternahrer W16 800m in 2m 17.90s. Mikayla Nielsen W19 1500m in 4m 43.53s and 5000m in 16m 59.28s. Sally Gibbs (47) was impressive in the W45 age group winning the 800m in 2m 22.22s, 1500m in 4m 48.29s and 5000m in 17m 20.34s. Christine McCahill (46) was also impressive in the field events, shot put 11.18m, discus 34.51m, weight throw 14.62m and a NZ masters W45 hammer record of 48.52m. Taupoââ¬â¢s Ashleigh Sando had a successful day, winning the W16 triple jump 10.59m (+1.7), long jump 4.94m (+4.0), high jump 1.70m as well as the W19 high jump 1.63m.
Julia Ratcliffe won the senior hammer with 61.01m and the W19 hammer 61.08m. Keshia Grant had the javelin out to 47.63m.
HASTINGS
Hawkes Bay Gisborne Track and Field Championships, Regional Sports Park Hastings ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Liam Murphy won the M16 javelin with a throw of 52.64m while Ben Harrison won the M19 javelin throwing 44.90m.
Matthew Taylor won the M16 3000m in 9m 11.96s and Anneke Smith the W16 800m in 2m 25.87s.
In the sprints Lisa Osborne won the senior womenââ¬â¢s 100m in 13.30s (-5.4) and Billy Kerr won the M16 100m in 12.54s (-3.9). He also won the 400m in 54.25s.
WELLINGTON
Lifestyle Sports Waterfront 5km Series ââ¬â 22 February 2011
Andrew Wharton won in 17m 27s, one second ahead of Chris Martin. Helen Smith recorded 22m 49s. John Roskvist won the walk in 31m 29s, from Terri Grimmett 32m 23s.
NELSON
Sprig & Fern Series, 5km Off Road ââ¬â 22 February 2011
Cliff Bowman won in 20m 2s.
DUNEDIN
Athletics, Caledonian Stadium ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Andrew Whyte won the M19 100m in 11.63s (-3.4) and the 200m in 22.43s (-1.6). Andrew Moore won the senior 100m in 11.45s (-3.4) and Nick Ash the 200m in 22.71s (-1.6). Rebekah Greene won the W19 800m in 2m 12.78s from Hannah Newbould 2m 15.71s. Anna Kean won the W16 800m in 2m 17.78s. Daniel Balchin won the senior 1500m in 3m 51.70s from Callan Moody 3m 56.62s while the womenââ¬â¢s 1500m went to Rachel Kingsford 4m 34.58s.
In the field Marshall Hall had the senior hammer out to 51.96m, Dean Rusbatch sent the M16 hammer to 50.71m. In the senior weight shot Tom Walsh recorded 16.51m and Jerram Hutson 14.19m. Kate Philpott (Pal/Nth) won the triple jump with 10.75m (-2.1).
Athletics, Newtown Stadium ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Olympic silver medallist Nick Willis overcame emotion in running a well-paced sub-four minute mile on Saturday evening.
An hour after finally being presented with his Beijing Olympic silver medal, and in a meeting he organised as a fund-raiser for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake, Willis clocked 3m 58.37s into a stiff Wellington southerly.
The minor places were filled by Willis' American training mates. Will Leer was second in a time of 3m 58.80s, and Brandon Bethke third in 4m 00.04s. Hamish Carson was fourth in 4m 10.00s, followed by Matt Lambert 4m 10.02s and Aaron Pulford 4m 18.25s.
Another training partner, top-ranked American middle distance runner Alan Webb, who earlier in the evening ran the 800m, helped the early peacemaking as the field reeled off 60 second laps after a 58sec for the opening 400m.
Willis, tucked in behind, was given a luxury ride as Webb pulled out with 600m to go and Leer took over at the front.
With 200m to go, Willis eased into the lead, wound up the tempo and edged out Leer in the last 50 metres.
"The first 300m felt awesome but then we hit the home straight with a tail wind. The pacemaker really accelerated, and that didn't feel good on the legs," he said afterwards.
"I thought maybe the emotion of the occasion had made me fatigued, but I was able to recompose."
Willis was particularly grateful at the load taken up by his American training partners.
"They told me after the medal ceremony they'd be willing to take the lead after the rabbit pulled out, because of all the emotion," he said.
"I owe a lot to them that I didn't have to go out and make that sacrifice at the front. That really helped me to have the confidence that, despite the fatigue and tiredness, I'd be there for the last 100m and then it was just whoever had the most at the end."
Willis finished third at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but was elevated to second after winner Rashid Ramzi tested positive for a blood-boosting drug.
The Lower Hutt runner was due to finally be presented with his silver medal at the international track meeting scheduled for Christchurch on Saturday evening.
But with the event cancelled because of Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake, International Olympic Committee member Barry Maister instead presented Willis with his medal in an emotional ceremony at the hastily organised meeting.
Glen Ballam won the 800m in 1m 51.01s, from Tim Hawkes 1m 51.79s and Webb 1m 52.16s. Anna Roche won the womenââ¬â¢s 1500m in 4m 31.12s, from Sarah Drought 4m 31.98s and Caroline Mellsop 4m 32.72s. Evan Cooper won the menââ¬â¢s 1500m in 3m 54.32s, from Jesse Patel 3m 56.97s and Cary Chaffe 3m 58.61s.
In the long jump Ryan Roselli was out to 7.28m (+0.9) and Brendan Barnett went six centimetres further than his New Zealand M16 record with 7.19m (+1.9). James Hutchens was third with 7.02m (0.0). Andrew Kennedy won the 100m in 10.94s (+0.1) from Alex Jordan 10.99s. Jordan won the 200m earlier in the afternoon in 21.37s (+1.9) from Joseph Millar 22.25s. Elise McIlroy won the womenââ¬â¢s 100m in 12.81s (+2.4) and the 200m in 26.47s (+2.1).
Upwards of 2000 people attended the meeting and $20,100 was collected for the Christchurch relief fund appeal.
AUCKLAND
Oââ¬â¢Haganââ¬â¢s Viaduct Harbour 5km Series ââ¬â 22 February 2011
James Kuegler won in 16m 18s, from Andy Hughes 16m 25s and Gavin Stevens 16m 48s. Camel Hanly recorded 17m 40s.
Takapuna 5km Rat Race, Milford ââ¬â 23 February 2011
Andrew Cave won in 16m 48s, from Brett Katterns 18m 52s. Tracey Henderson recorded 21m 24s.
HAMILTON
Eastside 5km River Run ââ¬â 22 February 2011
Steven Smith won in 16m 27s, 10 seconds ahead of Phil Murray with John Crane third in 17m. Helen Rountree was the first woman in 18m 32s.
TAURANGA
Waikato Bay of Plenty Track & Field Championships, Tauranga Domain ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Ryan Howe won the M19 100m in 10.98s (+1.9) and a record in the long jump 7.37m (+1.9). Cameron French M19 200m 22.55s (+2.9) and 400m 51.74s. Bennet Rogers M16 400m 52.08s. Julian Oakley M19 800m 1m 54.93s and 1500m 4m 4.06s. Thomas McLaughlin M16 800m 1m 58.74s. Scott Hilliar M16 1500m 4m 4.97s. Phil Simms M19 400m hurdles 56.13s and long jump 6.41m (+0.8). Matthew Holcroft M16 5000m walk 24m 4.32s. Joseph Reynolds record in the M16 high jump 1.96m. Alex Colvin M16 triple jump 13.16m (+2.2), Luke Davison M16 javelin throw 54.45m.
Mariah Ririnui won the W19 100m in 12.72s (+1.6), Talia Horgan won the W16 200m in 25.93s (+0.8) and 400m in 58.49s. Maggie Unternahrer W16 800m in 2m 17.90s. Mikayla Nielsen W19 1500m in 4m 43.53s and 5000m in 16m 59.28s. Sally Gibbs (47) was impressive in the W45 age group winning the 800m in 2m 22.22s, 1500m in 4m 48.29s and 5000m in 17m 20.34s. Christine McCahill (46) was also impressive in the field events, shot put 11.18m, discus 34.51m, weight throw 14.62m and a NZ masters W45 hammer record of 48.52m. Taupoââ¬â¢s Ashleigh Sando had a successful day, winning the W16 triple jump 10.59m (+1.7), long jump 4.94m (+4.0), high jump 1.70m as well as the W19 high jump 1.63m.
Julia Ratcliffe won the senior hammer with 61.01m and the W19 hammer 61.08m. Keshia Grant had the javelin out to 47.63m.
HASTINGS
Hawkes Bay Gisborne Track and Field Championships, Regional Sports Park Hastings ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Liam Murphy won the M16 javelin with a throw of 52.64m while Ben Harrison won the M19 javelin throwing 44.90m.
Matthew Taylor won the M16 3000m in 9m 11.96s and Anneke Smith the W16 800m in 2m 25.87s.
In the sprints Lisa Osborne won the senior womenââ¬â¢s 100m in 13.30s (-5.4) and Billy Kerr won the M16 100m in 12.54s (-3.9). He also won the 400m in 54.25s.
WELLINGTON
Lifestyle Sports Waterfront 5km Series ââ¬â 22 February 2011
Andrew Wharton won in 17m 27s, one second ahead of Chris Martin. Helen Smith recorded 22m 49s. John Roskvist won the walk in 31m 29s, from Terri Grimmett 32m 23s.
NELSON
Sprig & Fern Series, 5km Off Road ââ¬â 22 February 2011
Cliff Bowman won in 20m 2s.
DUNEDIN
Athletics, Caledonian Stadium ââ¬â 26 February 2011
Andrew Whyte won the M19 100m in 11.63s (-3.4) and the 200m in 22.43s (-1.6). Andrew Moore won the senior 100m in 11.45s (-3.4) and Nick Ash the 200m in 22.71s (-1.6). Rebekah Greene won the W19 800m in 2m 12.78s from Hannah Newbould 2m 15.71s. Anna Kean won the W16 800m in 2m 17.78s. Daniel Balchin won the senior 1500m in 3m 51.70s from Callan Moody 3m 56.62s while the womenââ¬â¢s 1500m went to Rachel Kingsford 4m 34.58s.
In the field Marshall Hall had the senior hammer out to 51.96m, Dean Rusbatch sent the M16 hammer to 50.71m. In the senior weight shot Tom Walsh recorded 16.51m and Jerram Hutson 14.19m. Kate Philpott (Pal/Nth) won the triple jump with 10.75m (-2.1).