There must be something in the water in Northland as more runners put their hands up as athletes to watch out for in future.
In the year's final athletics meeting in Auckland, Northland athletes shot to the front during the "Night of 5s" with three Athletics Whangarei runners getting medals.
Madi Doar and Ryan Smith were the stars as they won golds in their 1500m and 5000m disciplines.
The 13-year-old Doar shot straight to the front during her race on Wednesday and increased her lead throughout the race on her way to a commanding victory in 7 minutes and 15seconds. Running in second place for most of the same race was Jess Pilmer, 12, who eventually finished third in 7:30 - with Ella Harold taking 12 seconds of her personal best further down the field.
Smith, who is a member of Bay Cougars' club in Auckland but an associate member of Hatea Athletics and Harrier Club, won in convincing style, running away from his opposition over the last kilometre to win the senior 'B' 5000m in a personal best of 15 minutes 26 minutes.
The first Athletics Auckland Meeting of 2013 will be on January 12 and will be hosted by Athletics Whangarei. This will be the first senior track and field meeting to be held at the newly completed ASB Sports Arena.
