Athletics Northland's Road Running Championships on Saturday are set to produce exciting competition on a new flat, fast course at Ruakaka.
The course is on a site under development where sealed roads are in place but little else, creating an ideal traffic-free and spectator-friendly circuit.
Fierce competition for the senior men's 10km
title is expected, with last year's winner Tim Goodwin, Athletics Whangarei, lining up against his club-mate 53-year-old masters' runner Ian Calder, who was in second place last year.
Rob Lieffering is another Athletics Whangarei runner who has the potential for a podium finish.
However, Athletic Whangarei's runners are likely to find themselves chasing Hatea's men, with Mark Turner, making a bid for his second championship . Jonny Creelman and Matt Andrews are other Hatea men who could take gold.
In the 16-year-old men's grade over 5km, Hatea's Harry Linton looks set to take gold but an in-form James Edwards, Whangarei, may have other ideas.
If Ady McKenzie decides to contest the women's title over 7.5km, she is almost certain to win gold. In McKenzie's absence, her older sister, Leigh Ruddock, could take gold, provided she enters as a senior woman, instead of in the master women's 45-49 grade.
Race rules allow master runners to enter in the premier senior grade, but not in their masters' age group in the same race and so qualify for two titles. Similarly, younger runners can run for a title up to two grades above their normal grade.
Whangarei's Delwyn Smith is another senior woman who is likely to medal.
Imogen Hull, Whangarei, is choosing to run up two grades in the W19 instead of G14 and is likely to be unopposed for gold.
Rachyl Edge in the W16, Amanda Still in the G14 and Portia Olney-Kemp in the G12 are likely to complete a clean sweep for L J Hooker Athletics Whangarei in the women's and girls' titles. But Hatea's Lekiesha Cummings will be within striking distance in the G12, if Olney-Kemp falters.
The course is at Port Marsden Park, corner of One Tree Point Rd and Port Marsden Highway, Ruakaka.
Racing starts at 12:30pm on Saturday.
Likely gold Master's winners are: Men: Ken Walker, Hatea in the M45; Mike Gowing, Whangarei M50; Colin Smith, Hatea M55; John Kent, Hatea M60; Anson Clapcott, Hatea M65; and Neville Rae Whangarei M70.
Women: Angelo Taitoko, Hatea W35; D J Gillming, Hatea W45; Janice Powell, Whangarei W50; Toni Daly, Hatea W55; and Judith Bradshaw, Hatea W60.
