Masterton athlete takes golden haul

A Masterton athlete gained her first gold medal in the South Island Colgate Games last weekend, just as the Wairarapa All Weather Athletic Track nears completion.

This is the first time Masterton Athletics Club has sent any athletes to the South Island Games, held in Nelson.

Alison Andrews-Paul, 14, earned three gold medals in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m events.

"I've done the Colgate Games for four years but this is the first time I've got a gold medal," she said.

She has been running since she was 9 years old, and was feeling "pretty special".

Emma Brown, 14, won the 2000m walk event, and said she lapped the North Island winner with her time.

"I've won the walk a couple of times," she said.

Keiran Andrews-Paul, 12, earned silver in the 80m hurdles and said he was feeling good about his achievement.

Another team went to the North Island Colgate Games a week before, and Sienna Cockburne, 7, earned three gold pennants.

Coach Mark Harris said it's great to see so many children enthusiastic about athletics.

"Basically it's up to the individual to enter but we do encourage people to get there," he said.

"I think from a coaching perspective it's great to see the number of kids there participating. It's a great thing getting kids involved in sport."

Mr Harris, also trustee of the track, said it is nearing completion and the final layer of asphalt is on.

He said the shot put, discus and hammer circles are being worked on, and the materials have arrived for the final layer of the track. That stage of the project is set to start on February 5.