Athletics NZ weekly round-up 20 March 2017

HAMILTON

Jennian Homes New Zealand Track and Field Championships, Porritt Stadium - 17/19 March 2017

Joseph Millar propelled himself to another level in his sprinting career highlighting the national championships with record breaking performances in taking out the senior sprint double. On Friday it was 100m that got the treatment breaking Chris Donaldsons resident record with a time of 10.18. It was an all Waikato Bay of Plenty finish with 2015 champion Kodi Harman second in 10.59 and Cameron French third in 10.72.

Millar was delighted to have finally eclipsed Donaldson.

"Im happy as to have caught up with Chris Donaldson. I started getting into sprinting as he was exiting and I wasnt able to run against him and to think that Im now right up there with one of the legends of the sport is a pretty cool feeling," said Millar who right from the start was heading for a fast time.

"I was right off the mark and had a lot of adrenalin going and was able to control it and put it right back through the blocks and from the first step I knew that we were off to a great start.

"I just need a little bit more off that time, .06s to be precise which is definitely achievable. Ive got two weeks until the Australian champs and a fresh competition with a bit of rivalry going on over there well get it done."

But two days later on Sunday afternoon the World Championships qualifier came in the 200m. In a majestic and magnificent display of sprinting the 24 year old speed to a national and resident record of 20.37.

This broke Donaldsons 1997 national record of 20.42 and Mathew Coads 1996 resident record of 20.61 as well as easily qualifying him for the world championships and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Millar said that he was still focussed coming off the euphoria of the 100m record two days earlier.

"From the start it was put the hammer down. I went through the race numerous times over the course of the day yesterday and it executed exactly how I envisaged it.

"I knew to run that time I might have to run better than when I was 16. When I was 16 I used to be able to run double my 100m time, so to be able to do that again was a bit of a shock but I knew I had it in me if I did everything right and I got there in the end," said Millar.

"A resident record, a national record, a world champs qualifier and Commonwealth Games qualifier is a really good way to wrap up the nationals," he added.

Zoe Hobbs captured the same double in the senior women in her first season as a senior. Hobbs was all class in both races clocking 11.57 in the 100m and a PB 23.85 in the 200m.

Hobbs who hopes to improve further at the Australian championships was elated at her achievement.

"Im so stoked as I set a goal from a young age to get the senior double in the one and two as Ive been in the sport pretty well my whole life and to debut at 19 and take out the double is amazing," said Hobbs.

Rio Olympian Tom Walsh made it eight years in a row in the shot put with 21.51m, just short of his New Zealand resident record of 21.80m on the North Shore last month. He opened with 21.07m the 21.51m came in round two and he 21.35m in the fourth round and finished with 21.00m. Ryan Ballantyne was second with a personal best 16.66m. Jacko Gill was injured and did not compete. New Zealands other Rio Olympic Games field event bronze medallist Eliza McCartney won her third straight pole vault title with 4.55m. Nick Southgate made it number five in the mens pole vault.

Angie Petty dug deep into her reserves to win the 800m/1500m double in thrilling finishes to both races. The Rio Olympian made it six years in a row in the 800m holding out an equally determined Katherine Camp in 2:03.35.

Petty said that it came down to those last 10 metres.

"I knew it was going to be tough (against Katherine Camp) as all season its been close between us and I really give it to her she ran a really smart race.

The sixth victory is the sweetest for Petty.

"This one means the most as its been the hardest road to get here."

Petty will now be working on achieving a qualifying time for the world champs.

"Ill be based in Seattle from mid next month with my coach and do some races there and then go to Europe from there and Im sure the times will come Ive just got to keep training hard and peaking for Europe."

Camp who was second in 2:03.54 said that she may have made her bid for victory a bit early.

"I maybe went a bit soon as I kind of fell apart in the last 20 metres or so, but I gave it a good shot," she said.

"Im getting back to base training now and building up for the European circuit."

Back in action on Sunday Petty was again extended this time by Camille Buscomb in holding on for her third 1500m title in 4:19.54. Buscomb was second in 4:20.07 and Camp third in 4:21.22.

"I was really happy with my finish, the first couple of laps were really slow and when Camille went off at 600m to go I thought okay Ive got to try and go with this as I was a bit boxed and stuck further back but managed to work my way up and had quite a good finish. I didnt worry about the time I just wanted to get the title," said Petty.

Like Petty Brad Mathas made it six years in a row in the senior mens 800m. In a slow run race Mathas had the kick when it counted to win in 1:50.66. Michael Dawson was a surprise second in a PB 1:51.71 and Eric Speakman was third in 1:52.21.

Mathas who is now based in Melbourne said it was the title he was after.

"The main thing with coming to these championships was to get my sixth title so I was happy to do that. It was a slow race admittedly but thats championship racing for you and I was just out to win.

"My main peak will be Europe where we start chasing for fast times. I ran 1:46 a few weeks ago and that was a bit of a surprise as we hadnt really sharpened up for it at all, so theres definitely some big times to come in June/July," said Mathas.

Speakman later went on to win his first 1500m title in 3:49.90 from Samuel Bremer 3:51.44 and Peter Wheeler 3:52.57.

Kelsey Berryman after a second to Hobbs in the 100m provided a large gallery on the grass embankment with some thrilling long jumping. Berryman who has a best legal jump of 6.29m from the Nitro meeting last month was out to a wind assisted 6.40m to easily retain her title. Mariah Ririnui winner in 2013 and 2014 was second with 6.24m.

Berryman said that the long jump has become the number one priority in the last year.

"Im happy with that, I won last year and I really wanted to come out and do it again so Im stoked with the way I jumped, I finally put it together with the run up and the technique of the jump, so very happy.

"A jump of 6.65m is definitely on the radar, Im keeping an eye on it. The seasons been up and down, Ive learnt a lot as Ive only been focussing on long jump for a year now, I dropped the hurdles a year ago and I started to do more long jump, so its still only coming together but slowly and surely," said Berryman.

Her next competition is the Australian championships.

In a spectacular finish which saw Rochelle Coster, in a repeat clash from last year with Fiona Morrison in the 100m hurdles, clip a hurdle and take a fall in the next lane. Morrison won her fifth hurdles title in 13.35. Joshua Hawkins chalked up his third senior 110m hurdles title in 14.31. Ebuka Okpala retained his triple jump title with 15.43m while Anna Thomson retained the womens with 12.34m.

Daniel Balchin captured the 5000m title something he has been after in recent years. Balchin shrugged off a challenge from four times 10,000m champion Aaron Pulford to come away with the win in 14:15.88. Pulford recorded 14:17.85 with Rio Olympic Games triathlete Ryan Sissons third in 14:19.81.

"Im absolutely over the moon, Ive been doing these nationals for a few years and I havent got the 5000m title before," said Balchin.

"For the first 3ks I just wanted to take it as easy as possible and with four laps to go I felt pretty strong so I decided to take some of the pace myself and then Aaron went with two laps to go and I hung on the back of him as he was really pushing the pace but I managed to still have a bit of a kick finish towards the end."

Laura Nagel continued her collection of national titles, adding the womens 5000m to the 3000m won earlier this season and the cross country and road titles won last year.

Nagel headed in half marathon champion Olivia Burne by 20 seconds in 16:04.45.

"I didnt know where I was as I havent raced since Nitro, but I felt pretty strong which was good," said Nagel.

"These (titles) have been the goals since coming back (to New Zealand), and hopefully I keep building on that."

Matthew Bloxham despite easing back in training won his third straight hammer throw title with 59.81m from Sydney based Warren Button 56.83m and Otagos Todd Bates.

Bloxham said he enjoyed the competition.

"Took out the three-peat and Im pretty happy with that. They were not the throws we were after but it was a good competition and I had a lot of fun doing it.

"For the condition Im in at the moment I cant really complain with the distance today.

"Ive been focussing on work and study at the moment. Ive picked up a new job and theyre paying for all my study and everything, so Im throwing a lot into that and have taken a little break away from the high performance hammer and gone into a retirement if you will," said Bloxham.

Button enjoyed being back in Hamilton for the event.

"The atmosphere was amazing, the weather was amazing unfortunately my performance wasnt amazing but we got there in the end and got second place and Im pretty happy with that," said Button.

Nicole Bradley won her fourth womens hammer title with 56.41m.

Te Rina Keenan unseated Siositina Hakeai winner of the senior womens discus for the past five years with a throw of 56.51m to Hakeais 55.04m. Marshal Hall won his eighth senior discus tile with 55.11m. In Dame Valerie Adams' absence Maddison-Lee Wesche won the womens shot put with 15.13m.

After finishing second to Stuart Farquhar for the last four years, Ben Langton Burnell finally had the satisfaction of going one higher on the podium for the gold in the javelin throw.

"Ive finally beat Stu for the title," a pleased Langton Burnell expressed on the way to the victory ceremony.

"It wasnt the greatest performance, it was quite painful as Im nursing a little injury at the moment, so 76 metres is not too bad but I obviously want to get back over 80 metres."

Farquhar who won the silver with a throw of 71.23m wanted to make it his last nationals on his home turf.

"Its good to be back, especially being in Hamilton Ive never experienced a nationals here so its good to come down and have a bit of fun, a throw of 71 was definitely my max because of lack of training.

"Im done now, it was just this comp, Im not training I have retired," said Farquhar.

Maia Broughton was outstanding in the under 18 women, collecting five gold medals over the three days. The just turned 15 year old who is coached by champion sprinter from the 1980s Beverley Peterson won the 100m in 12.49, the 200m in 24.75, the 400m in 56.84 was a member of the Canterbury team that won the 4 x 100m relay and she anchored their winning 4 x 400m relay team. The 200m time was a Canterbury under 16 record breaking her own record set in winning the secondary schools junior title last December.

Lucy Sheat won the under 20 100m in 11.96 and the 200m in 23.96 beating Georgia Hulls in both. However Hulls was too strong in the 400m winning in 55.87.

James Guthrie-Croft collected the under 18 sprint double with 11.12 in the 100m and 21.98 in the 200m.

Hannah OConnor won the under 18 3000m on day one in 9:30.74 and the 1500m on the final day in 4:30.35.

Charli Miller won the under 18 2000 steeplechase in a time of 6:46.74 under the existing New Zealand under 17 record.

Olly Parkinson went close to the New Zealand under 17 record in winning the 300m hurdles in 37.97. He also won the 110m hurdles in 14.34.

The championships marked the end of an era of starting races for husband and wife team of Jack and Lynette Lochhead of Tauranga. After 35 years service by Jack and 27 years by Lynette they have decided to retire from officiating. Lynette competed in Hastings in early days and later went on to do masters athletics in the sprints and long jump. Married for 41 years they became involved through their children competing in athletics. The highlights for Jack, who was mentored by Alf Insley and Jack Hogg, was being involved with the starting team for Carl Lewis when he competed on the North Shore and at the Porritt Classics starting Donovan Bailey and Frankie Fredericks who set the New Zealand allcomers record of 20.29s in 1999. The highlight for Lynette was starting races with Jack.

As an honour Jack and Lynette started the final race of the 2017 championships, the senior men 4 x 400m relay.

AUSTRALIA

Canberra Summer Series No 14, 11 March: Joseph Millar 100m 10.37 (+0.4) (1).

MEXICO

Race Walk Challenge, Ciudad Juarez, 12 March: Quentin Rew 20km race walk 1:25:30 (14). Alana Barber 20km race walk 1:34:56 (9).

PORTUGAL

Lisbon Half Marathon, 19 March: Jake Robertson ran an excellent race, winning in 1:00:01, beating Kenyan James Macharia by ten seconds. Two years ago in Japan Jakes twin brother Zane ran a New Zealand national record of 59:47. Jake is now the second fastest New Zealand over a half marathon.

USA

Texas Christian Invitational, Fort Worth, 18 March: Hannah Miller 3000m 9:36.22 (1). Anneke Grogan 1500m 4:47.38 (8).

ROAD AND TRAIL RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY

Auckland

Pakuranga 5km, 13 March: Richard Wagener 17:55, George Furniss 18:21, Dion Wallwork 18:48. Rachel Penney 20:35.

OHagans 5km, Viaduct Harbour, 14 March: John Mauro 16:42, Adam Berry 17:05, Jon Pearce 17:16. Katie Bryan 19:23, Katrin Gottschalk 19:29, Christine Adamson 19:48.

Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 15 March: Hans Pijl 19:09.

Cornwall Park Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Jacob Hendrickx 17:24, Will Laery 18:09, Alexander Mildenhall 18:32.

Barry Curtis Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Grant Lincoln 18:47.

Western Springs Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Liam Stolberger 18:51, Oscar Mahy 18:53.

Coatesville Half Marathon, 19 March: Mark Boyce 1:16:21, Chris Trent 1:17:10, Rick Tombling 1:19:39. Katie Wyrill 1:27:07, Katherine Morgan 1:28:30, Katrin Gottschalk 1:32:35, Melissa Norris 1:32:44.

Huntly

Huntly Half Marathon, 19 March: John Mering 1:14:00, Jay Wallwork 1:15:05, Lance Brew 1:16:20. Olivia Burne 1:16:42, Cecilia Flori 1:23:21, Holly McKinlay 1:23:53. Walk; Donna Roderick 2:14:25. 10km; Mathus Wetzels 35:03, Peter Robinson 36:04, John Crane 38:29. Danielle Ingram-Trevis 39:34, Naomi Boynton 42:44, Lucy Jonas 44:43.

Hamilton

Eastside 5k River Run Series, 14 March: Lance Brew 17:25, John Bowe 17:37, John Roberts 18:15.

Lake Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Matthew Hillary 18:20, Joe Morgan 18:38.

Kirikiriroa Marathon, Hamilton Gardens, 18 March: Adam Eason 3:09:11, Stephen Bjarnesen 3:10:24, Craig Price 3:19:34. Dawn Tuffery 3:30:38.

Cambridge

Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Angela Hancock 19:53.

Tauranga

Bay Run 5km, Carmichael Road Reserve, 14 March: Kyle Macdonald 16:05, Doug Moore 17:39, Matt Varley 18:08. Morgan Ball 19:25, Frances Stringfellow 19:58.

Rotorua

Puarenga Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Matt Parsonage 17:25, Bryn Parry 18:02, Samuel Hughes 18:44.

Taupo

Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Steven Henderson (UK) 17:47.

Napier

Bluewater 5km Series, 14 March: Damien Christofis 18:52.

Wellington

Waterfront 5km, 14 March: Miles Jones 16:41, Andy Ford 17:29, Geoff Ferry 17:38. Tamara Winkler 18:35, Claudia Layton 20:28, Emma Bassett 20:30.

Trentham 5km Series, 14 March: Finn Seeds 16:48, Ben Winder 16:49, Josh Campbell 17:47. Sophie Dawson 20:34, Fiona Gilroy 20:58, Maria Geoghegan 21:09.

Lower Hutt Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Joel Carman 16:57, Geoff Ferry 17:16, Andrew Crosland 17:35. Sarah Gardner 18:14, Hinano Andrews 20:02.

Kapiti Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Daniel Stoner 18:47, Marcelo Amaya 19:02.

Porirua Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Philip Opie 17:35. Nicola Hankinson 20:50.

Honest 10km, Evans Bay, 19 March: Grant McLean 35:02, John Beale 35:54, Stu Milne 36:40. Melissa Black 38:53.

Christchurch

Hagley Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Jamie Pottinger 17:40, Malcolm Cornelius 18:07, Daniel Redmond 18:25.

Pegasus Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Brian Law 17:41, Hannah Oldroyd 17:59, John Marshall 18:02, Steve Darby 18:11, Angela Whyte 18:35, Robert Doig 19:09.

Dunedin

Botanic Garden Parkrun 5km, 18 March: Jonah Smith 18:32.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Athletics New Zealand