Possibly because it doesn't have the commercially driven interests behind it that other forms of fitness in our marketplace have. Athletics is driven by hard-working volunteers, not as a business venture, but because they want to provide for the children that turn up to have a go.
If there was only one activity youngsters could do, to help set them up for a healthy and active life, athletics would be a pretty good choice - it's been the basis of sport for long time.
Athletics underpins most other sports - whether it be the jumping or throwing ability, or simply overcoming a fear of running and learning to push oneself.
It is great for building character and sportsmanship in youngsters, and an excellent form of off-season or cross-training for athletes from other sports for enhanced speed and endurance.
And of course as a sport in its own right we have had a great history at the Olympics, particularly in the middle distance events.
More recently though, and as our Kiwi athletes showed at Rio, we have the ability to perform in some of the more niche athletics events.
So yes it's back to the future - athletics the original sport of the Olympics making a comeback, not just for itself, but also as the great platform it provides kids for health and performance in any sport.
It's the original sport for good reason, because it tests human capability across the raw fundamental movement skills.
Athletics is becoming cool again - new stars on the scene like Tom ('Tomaru') Walsh and Jacko Gill in shot put, and of course Eliza McCartney in pole vault, backing up the already amazing feats of Valerie Adams and Nick Willis.
A few years ago no one would have thought New Zealand would have so many high performers in those events at the Olympics, especially the field events, but now they are inspiring a new generation, and opening up options for kids that might otherwise have just stuck to the typical mainstream sports.
Imagine if our major sports rugby and netball didn't exist, and all our athletes from those sports were doing athletics?
I'm not suggesting we ban those sports, although it would be an interesting exercise, just to see how many world class athletes we would have 10 or 15 years from now in all those Olympic track and field events - especially with our community cohort of Polynesian Power getting into the throws and sprint events.
But back to the Colgate Games - I didn't know much about the event previously, but it was brilliant, children aged 7 to 14 coming together from all over the North Island to compete.
The opening "walk in" at the start was brilliant, with clubs representing Kaitaia to Wellington and beyond.
And yes the kids were definitely competing, as distinct from just turning up to participate.
Competing doesn't necessarily mean winning, some knew they weren't going to win a particular event, but still went like mad to try to beat their nearest rival.
The event was a great success, and full credit to the organisers. Aside from the physical side of it, the experiences and development the youth get is pretty powerful. Unlike some other sports these days, where scores are ignored, the results in athletics are black and white.
As an adult it can seem a bit brutal, there is no sugar-coating the results, yet the kids want to know where they finished. They learn to cope with failure, learn respect for others, and to be humble in victory.
The children had to perform in front of a big crowd, a great skill to adapt to, and in athletics there is no hiding, you're on your own. And in athletics they really learn to push themselves, which will make training for other sports relatively easy.
It's a fairly simple sport to get your children into, affordable, and great for bringing together people from all demographics.
The Hastings club on the weekend had children from all parts of Hastings as well as Flaxmere, Havelock, Clive and Napier, in one team to compete against other clubs from all around the country. Wairoa and CHB also had a strong turnout.
Along with the cycling, cricket and softball last weekend, the Colgate Games were a brilliant promotion for our region, the weather was great and there were many comments regarding the fantastic track and facilities.
Hopefully the weather gods smile again this weekend, and the athletics renaissance can continue with the Potts Classic here in Hawke's Bay.
Marcus Agnew is the health and sport development manager at HB Community Fitness Centre Trust and is also a lecturer in sports science at EIT.
