Athletics: Victory almost didn't happen

Angie Petty comfortably ahead of Katherine Marshall (197).

Angie Petty didn't want to be presumptuous about clinching her No 7 Sylvia Potts Classic 800m senior women's crown but there was no arguing with her two-second victory.

"Katherine [Marshall, nee Camp] was right there on the toes until 200m to go so it wasn't easy to win but I pulled away in the last 200," Petty said after clocking 2:03.43 although she wanted to be closer to the 2:02 mark.

It could only get better for the 24-year-old Cantabrian hoping to make her first Olympics in Rio in August although she won't compete in Whanganui tomorrow but focus on Wellington on Friday on the platform of a solid endurance and mindful not to peak too early.

The Porritt Classic in Hamilton and a couple of Australian meetings are also on the agenda.

However, she revealed on Saturday she almost didn't make it to the classic here after husband Sam Petty had a mountainbiking accident last Monday while holidaying at a national park in Kaiteriteri, a five-hour drive from their home in Christchurch.

"Sam had quite a serious accident so he had concussion and had to be airlifted to hospital," she said of the Englishman and runner who was just having some fun on the mountainbike track.

"He hit a rut or something but he's actually all right now and he's come here to support me today."

Petty said Sam still couldn't remember a few things after the concussion but his speedy recovery a day or so later meant she didn't have to cancel her trip to the 17th edition of the annual Potts Classic.

Sam was intending to consult his doctor and Christchurch triathlon coach John Hellemen after a week off training.