ATHLETICS - Young guns win Lovelock

IT WAS WET, muddy and grey but that didn't put off Athletics Whangarei racers who took part in the Lovelock Mile at Kensington Stadium yesterday evening.
Both men's and women's prizes were scooped by young racers - 13-year-old Demi Exeley from Dargaville won the women's race in 5min:59sec, and 18-year-old Ryan Smith took the men's title in 5:03.
Both Demi and Ryan won despite still being tired from competing in the NZ Secondary School Athletic Championships at the weekend.
Whangarei Boys' High student Ryan said he was pleased with his performance. He is a dominant track athlete in the North and has just started concentrating on steeplechase - an event he came eighth in at the secondary school champs.
Dargaville High School student Demi said she didn't usually run mile races but had enjoyed taking part. She came sixth in the 800m event at the secondary school championships.
"It's something I'm keen to keep going with. I'm still tired from racing at the weekend so have taken it easy for the last few days with gentle jogging," she said.
Predicted to win the men's title was Ian Calder, who ran the Kerikeri marathon in a world-class 1hr:15min, - but he dropped out of the race on the second lap.
Named after New Zealand Olympic hero Jack Lovelock, the race has been run annually at Athletics Whangarei club since 1948.
Club president Ian Babe said it was steeped in tradition and had been run at the club by Commonwealth and Olympic athletes.
"Through ebbs and flows we've always kept the race going. On the trophy are names of top athletes who have passed through the club. It's a special historical race," he said.
Men: 1 Ryan Smith 5:03, 2 Ryan Slater 5:28, 3 Mike Gowing 5:33.
Women: 1 Demi Exeley 5:59, 2 Christine Fraser 6:17, 3 Gillian Michel 7:50.