Masters athletes from Hawke's Bay honoured

Bruce Allen (left), Maurice Callaghan and Harry Marett. Absent: Jim Tobin. Photo/supplied

Harry Marett ended his outstanding rugby career in 1961 but his contribution to sport has continued to the present day.

A Magpie midfielder from 1952 to 1961 and good enough to be an All Black reserve in the days before substitution, Marrett and three others, Jim Tobin, Maurice Callaghan and Bruce Allen, were recently honoured with Hawke's Bay/Gisborne Masters Athletics Life Membership.

Marett has been involved in track and field for over 40 years, having been a founding committee member and athlete of Hawke's Bay/Gisborne Masters Athletics Inc. Highlights of his involvement include organising the merchandising and event funding for the 9th Oceania Veteran Games in Hastings in 1998, and winning North Island Championship 100 metre gold medals in 1986 and 1991.

Tobin, Callaghan and Allen's contributions have been equally stellar.

After being transferred from Gisborne to Napier in the early '80s to continue his work as a surveyor, Tobin continued his involvement with veteran/masters athletics. He served as president for 25 years, introducing a year round calendar featuring walk/run events in the winter which lifted the group's profile and membership.

Under his leadership the centre was awarded two major events, the 1991 Veterans National Track and Field Championships, and the 9th Oceania Veteran Games. Tobin also was editor and official photographer for Vetline, the official magazine of New Zealand and Oceania Masters Athletics.

He took his skills to the world stage, enjoying success both as a competitor and administrator. His contribution was recognised with the World Masters Athletics Gold Pin Award and New Zealand Masters Athletics Life Membership. On the local scene he has twice been honoured as Masters Athlete of the year.

Callaghan has also contributed to all facets of the sport but is remembered for excelling in the gruelling 400 metre hurdles event. He never lost a race in an all-New Zealand field, and twice took silver medals at World Championships.

At Hawke's Bay and New Zealand level he also won titles at 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 110 metres hurdles, as well as long jump and triple jump.

As well as being a Hawke's Bay Masters Athlete of the Year, he has coached several athletes to national titles and been awarded Life Membership of Napier Athletic Club.

Like Marett he was a foundation member.

Allen is another long serving member having been with the group for 39 years.

A former president, secretary and committee member he came to masters athletics from the Hastings Harrier Club, having earlier been, like Marett and Callaghan, a capable Rugby player.

He has excelled in events from 100 metres to 1500 metres but has also stretched out to 10km and Marathon events.

His ability sees his name next to many age-group records for 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres, 10km road and marathon. An indication of his prowess is that he ran a sub 50 minute 10km road race when aged 65.