Good Sports: The Northland Masters Athletics team

Ian Calder, of Whangarei, leads the way in the 55-59 years 5000m at the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships held in Australia in January. Photo/Sharon Wray

In Northland we have many top athletes, and they're not all young. The Northland Masters Athletics team recently brought home medals from an Oceania competition in Australia. But, for that success to happen again the planning starts now. Graham Hardy, president of Northland Masters Athletics, took time out for the Advocate to explain how and what masters sport is about.

There seems to be a bit of unknown around masters sport, what constitutes a 'masters' athlete?

Masters athletics is a category within the sport of athletics which caters for veteran athletes, providing them with competition opportunities in track and field, and road and cross-country running. Beginning at age 35, masters athletes compete within five-year age groups, some remaining competitive for many years. Some exceptional men and women have competed in running, jumping and throwing events until into their 100s, and even in Northland we have some athletes in their 80s who compete regularly in local, national and international competitions.

Locally, what sorts of opportunities are there on offer for Northlanders? Do we have many masters guys from our region?

Northland has about 40 masters athletes, many from Whangarei, but others from further afield, including Dargaville and Kerikeri. A number also belong to Athletics Whangarei and compete regularly at the Kensington athletics venue on Tuesday evenings. In addition, Northland Masters Athletics Inc. hosts the Northland Masters Athletics Championships in February each year, as well as the Northland Masters' Pentathlon and Weight Pentathlon Championships. Non-championship events include road running and cross-country. During the non-track season, a number of Masters athletes walk or run in the harrier races organised by Athletics Whangarei or Hatea Harriers. On a national scene, NZ Masters Athletics conducts annual national championships for track and field, cross country, road, marathon, half marathon, mountain running and distance walking.

Many masters athletes say they would never have thought they could get as much satisfaction from competing as a 'master', is this a common attitude from masters athletes?

There is something to be said for an organisation which caters for all ages (over 35). The many years and age group categories available for competitive athletics under the 'masters' umbrella not only provide opportunities for regular meetings with like-minded people around the country, but also give a structure against which athletic performances can be measured. With advancing years, one's athletics performances naturally drop off - times are slower and distances achieved are shorter - but competition against athletes of similar age, and records established for each age group category, continually provide something to aim for in one's own performance.

You said you're looking at growing the number of athletes in Northland, how do people sign up to take part?

We will soon have a new website up and running, which will provide information about our activities and how to join. Until then, prospective members are welcome to contact Graham Hardy on 09-4344614.