Athletics: National 10,000m champs back in Inglewood

New Zealand's John Henwood in action in the Mens 10,000 metres at the 2004 Olympics. Photo / Getty Images

Athletics New Zealand have announced the New Zealand 10,000m Championships will return to TET Stadium in Inglewood on 28 January after an absence of seven years.

The event was held consecutively at the track from 2001 to 2009 and featured some of New Zealand's top distance runners over this time.

Athletics New Zealand Events Manager Gareth Archer said it was great that to have a National Championships event back in Taranaki.

"We're looking forward to the prospect of once again having a top class athletics facility in Inglewood. The newly laid surface at TET Stadium should be great and hopefully we see some really fast times." said Archer.

"The 10,000m event is particularly demanding and conditions can play a big part in affecting athlete's performances. Running in the early evening in Taranaki on a fresh, fast surface should give runners a great chance of going quick, hopefully we get a cool, still evening for the night of the race and we see a lot of personal bests," Archer added.

"We're very excited about hosting the 10,000m Champs back in Taranaki again," said Athletics Taranaki President Karen Gillum-Green.

Athletics Taranaki will host the event as part of a major day of athletics at the track on the last Saturday in January.

The 10,000m events for both men and women will start in the early evening with the North Island Interprovincial meet for 14-16 and Under 18 year olds to be held during the day.