Athletics NZ weekly round-up 5 March 2018

UNITED KINGDOM

IAAF World Indoor Championships, Arena Birmingham, Birmingham - 1/4 March 2018

Tom Walsh retained his world indoor shot put crown with a record breaking throw of 22.31m.

He recorded 22.13m twice in the early rounds and then with the title in the bag came up with a massive 22.31m on his final attempt to set a championship record, Oceania record and a New Zealand national record.

David Storl of Germany was second with 21.44m and Tomas Stanek of the Czech Republic was third also with 21.44m. Seven athletes were over 21.00m in the contest, the most ever for an indoor shot put competition.

Walsh said that was what he went to Birmingham to do.

"I came here to win and its great to throw a games record at the same time, its not what you do it for but I knew I had to throw well into the 22s," he said.

"Ive been around a bit now and being more comfortable at it just makes it that more easier. I know exactly what I need to do and Ive been successful at a few of them now and its just a great feeling to keep doing it and keep making New Zealand proud."

Walsh's throw, just two days after his 26th birthday, added 0.10m to his national and Oceania record and was 0.07m further than the previous championship record of 22.24set by East German Ulf Timmermann back in 1987. The world indoor record is 22.66m set by Randy Barnes in Los Angeles in 1989.

Walsh has now won the last three world shot put titles contested - the 2016 Indoor, 2017 Outdoor and 2018 Indoor Championships. He will also battle it out with five of the top 16 in Birmingham in Athletics NZ's International meetings in Timaru, Christchurch and Waitakere in late March before going on to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Eliza McCartney finished fourth in the pole vault. After early clearances at 4.50m and 4.60m, the 21 year old made 4.70 on her third attempt to stay alive in the completion and assure herself of a top six finish. A first up clearance at 4.75 promoted McCartney into a medal position and as the bar was raised she sat in second place. She was unable to clear 4.80 with three solid attempts but three others, Sandi Morris (USA), Anzhelika Sidorova (ANA) and Katerina Stefanidi (GRE) made 4.80m to cement themselves as the three medallists. McCartneys 4.75m is new indoor personal best as well as a New Zealand and Oceania indoor record. It is 0.05m higher than she vaulted two years ago at the Portland 2016 World Indoor Championships for fifth place. Morris went on to clear a championship record 4.95m for the gold medal, Sidorova cleared 4.90m for silver and Stefanidi went no higher to claim the bronze medal.

It was a good return from McCartney in her first major international competition since last years Achilles worries.

"Its my first international comp in quite a while, so just to be able to come here on a shorter run up and jump 4.75m isnt too bad of an effort. I certainly knew I had more in me," she said.

2 March: 3000m heats, Julian Oakley 7:55.92 (4H2) Q, Hamish Carson 8:14.40 (10H1) DNQ.

3 March: Tom Walsh shot put final 22.31m (1) (22.13, x, 22.13, x, x, 22.31). Eliza McCartney pole vault final 4.75m (NZ and Oceania indoor record) (4).

4 March: 3000m final, Julian Oakley 8:18.60 (9). Won by Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia in 8:14.41.

JAPAN

73rd Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon, Otsu City - 4 March 2018

Jake Robertson in his marathon debut set a New Zealand national record of 2:08:26 in finishing third after covering the first half in 1:03:56. The 28 year old clipped 33 seconds off Rod Dixons 1983 record set in winning the New York marathon. Robertson was 33 seconds behind Kenyan winner Macharia Ndirangu who was also running his first marathon. Ndirangu was 23 seconds ahead of compatriot Albert Korir in second.

On the way to his third placing Robertson also established New Zealand national records for 25km in 1:15:41, breaking Derek Froudes 1984 record of 1:17:00 set in Melbourne and for 30km in 1:30:49 also breaking Froudes record of 1:33:49 set in Hamilton Canada in 1994.

AUCKLAND

Athletics Auckland Meeting, Mt Smart Stadium - 3 March 2018

Julia Ratcliffe rounded out her preparations prior to the national championships with a hammer throw of 67.87m. She had a series of 63.48, 67.40, x, 67.24, 67.87 and 65.66m.

The 24 year old who threw 67.12m in Hamilton last week said it was great to be back competing.

"This is my second comp back after seven months of no competition and lots of rehab, so Im so stoked to be back out there. The old crew is back together throwing so its so much fun.

"My collar bone joints had been a bit funny so I really had to take a bit of a break for a couple of months straight after world champs and the uni games and then a very long rehab process. I havent been back on the 4kg (hammer) for more than six weeks so Im getting there," said Ratcliffe.

Nicole Bradley was second with 62.22m and Ella Pilkington third 51.33m.

Matthew Bloxham shaped up for his defence of his national title with a throw of 60.79m with the 7.26kg hammer. Anthony Nobilo was out to 53.61m with the senior hammer. Rizvan Caukwell 6kg HT 47.02m PB.

Theo Quax dug deep to hold out Isaiah Priddey in the 800m recording 1:56.31. Priddey clocked 1:56.39 and national 3000m champion Peter Wheeler recorded a personal best of 1:56.65 for third. Stella Pearless ran a PB 2:13.35 to win the womens 800m from Krystie Solomon 2:15.06. 12 year old Percy Maka set an Auckland age group record of 48.73m with the 1kg discus.

Dare Oye won the 100m in 11.78 (-4.1) from Tommy Te Puni 11.83. Te Puni came back later in the day and won the 200m in 22.65 (-2.1).

Nadia Evans (13) won the senior 100m in 13.39 and was third in the 200m in 26.91. Tamsin Harvey won the 200m in 23.43. Siositina Hakeai won the discus throw with 58.13m, with Te Rina Keenan throwing 53.43m. Alexander Parkinson won the senior discus with 51.96m. David Van Den Bogaard wind assisted TJ 14.23m. Sarah Christiansen TJ 10.51m (+5.3). Katie-Lee Roper HJ 1.60m, Karim Cisse HJ 1.90m.

AUCKLAND

Auckland City Athletics meeting, Mt Smart Stadium, 28 February 2018: Siositina Hakeai DT 59.15m, Te Rina Keenan DT 53.29m. Tom Hunt 3000m 9:22.19. Olivia Burne 9:45.90 mx, Esther Keown 9:55.42 mx, Isabella Richardson 10:19.06 mx, Audrey Gregan 10:30.46 mx. Max Thomson 5000m 16:51.04.

NELSON

Athletics Nelson Twilight Meetings, Saxton Field, 23 February: Lucy Sheat 100m 12.29 (-0.3), 200m 24.48 (+1.2). Alex Dawson 100m 11.28 (-0.2). Bailey Cotton 100m 11.37 (-0.2), 200m 23.17 (+1.1). 2 March: Lucy Sheat 100m 12.43 (+0.1), 200m 24.48 (0.0). Amanda Fitisemanu 100m 12.51, 200m 25.66. Bailey Cotton 100m 11.54 (+0.1). Eloise Beattie 800m 2:22.71. Nils Poncet LJ 6.81m (+0.1).

DUNEDIN

Special Meeting , Caledonian Ground - 2/3 March 2018

Schuyler Orr 100m 11.26 (+0.2), 200m 23.09 (+1.3). Sam Gouverneur 400m 49.81 PB. Cameron Miller LJ 6.42m (+1.4). Fiona Centers 100m 12.27 (+0.2) mx, 200m 25.08 (+1.3) mx. Sammy Burke 1500m 4:50.98 mx. Dyani Shepherd-Oates HT 43.52m PB. Felix McDonald 110m H 15.76 (+0.9) PB.

INVERCARGILL

Athletics Southland Meeting, Surrey Park - 24 February 2018

Jack Welsh 800g JT 44.84m, SP 12.33m, DT 43.11m. Anna Skerrett 3kg SP 11.78m, LJ 5.19m (+1.0), TJ 10.41m (+1.4). Tim Baker LJ 6.55m (-1.0). Ben Henderson 1.5kg DT 36.92m.

Athletics Southland Meeting, Surrey Park - 3 March 2018

Jessica Senior 500g JT 35.20m. Teagan Ashley 3kg HT 35.84m, 3kg SP 10.45m. Ben Henderson 5kg SP 13.18m, 1.5kg DT 35.34m. Tim Baker LJ 6.52m (+0.9). Sam Colyer LJ 6.26m (0.0). Georgia Ellis LJ 5.13m (-0.9). Tessa Baird TJ 10.12m PB (0.0).

USA INDOORS

Sun Belt, Birmingham AL, 19 February: Luke Fielding mile 4:26.35 (6R2).

Southland, Birmingham AL, 21/22 February: Imogen Hull mile 5:19.78 (9H2), 3000m 10:25.70 PB (13R3). Charlotte Blair mile 5:22.08 (1H2).

AAC, Birmingham AL, 23/24 February: Bailey Stewart 400m 48.72 (1H4), 48.06 (4RB). Hannah Miller 3000m 9:39.10 (1RA), 5000m 16:34.94 (1RA). Anneke Grogan 3000m 10:00.02 (13RA), 5000m 17:19.64 (10RA). Atipa Mabonga LJ 5.47m (11), TJ 12.07m (7).

America East, Boston MA, 23 February: Cameron Avery 3000m 8:35.49 (11RA), 5000m 14:07.25 PB (2RA). Holly Manning 1000m 2:47.21 (1RA).

Big 12, Ames IA, 23/24 February: Alison Andrews-Paul 1000m 2:48.57 PB (1H2), 2:48.72 (7).

Big Ten, Geneva OH, 23 February: Jordan de Spong mile 4:10.13 (6H1).

Mountain West, Albuquerque, 22/24 February: Jeff Lautenslager mile 4:12.51 (3H2), 4:11.85 (5R2), 3000m 8:55.98 (30). Daniel Hintz mile 4:15.03 (7H2). Harry Ewing 3000m 8:47.08 (26). Kerry White 800m 2:12.86 (2H1), 2:12.19 (4). Grace McConnochie 5000m 16:37.01 (5).

Big Sky, Flagstaff AZ, 22/24 February: Matt Baxter mile 4:14.33 (5RA), 3000m 8:34.43 (2RA), 5000m 14:52.07 (4).

MPSF, Seattle WA, 23/24 February: Lilli Burdon mile 4:32.30 PB (3RA). Greer Alsop LJ 3.95m (22), TJ 12.18m (6).

Ivy League, Hanover NH, 24 February: Arianna Lord 800m 2:16.60 (6H2).

SPU Final Qualifier, Seattle WA, 24 February: Christopher Brake TJ 13.90m (3).

AUSTRALIA

MUAC 5000m, Melbourne, 27 February: Caden Shields 5000m 14:20.4 h PB (11).

SOUTH AFRICA

Freestate Varsity Challenge, Sasolburg, 26 February: Mine de Klerk SP 15.49m (1), DT 44.46m PB (1), 500g JT 43.87m (1).

Freestate SS Championships, Sasolburg, 2 March: Mine de Klerk SP 15.91m (1), DT 44216m PB (1), 500g JT 44.47m PB (1).

ROAD AND TRAIL RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY

Auckland

Ports of Auckland Round-the-Bays 8.4km, 4 March: Jono Jackson won the annual run for the seventh year in a row in 27:06, a minute slower than last year. Dave Ridley was second in 27:15 and Tom Moyes third in 27:22. Olivia Burne was the first woman by a wide margin in 29:08. Juliette Foley was second in 32:32 and Julia Seo third in 34:57.

Rotorua

Rotorua Off Road Half Marathon, Whakarewarewa Forest, 4 March: Regan Bones 1:22:52, Rodrigo Jaca Gonzalez 1:24:48, Steve Morrow 1:25:12. Cate Pedersen 1:40:47, Zola McDonald 1:44:29, Melissa OBrien 1:46:13. Walk; Warren Bavister 1:54:15. Quarter Marathon; Phil Murray 41:59, John Bowe 43:11.Jamie Hall 46:36. Maggie Pedersen 53:13, Molly Davis 55:34, Stacey Lepper 56:58. Walk; Mike Cosgrove 1:28:15.

New Plymouth

Bayleys Mountain to Surf Marathon, 3 March: Tama Christensen 2:48:25, Jon-Paul Heather 2:50:42, Matt Henderson 2:52:58. Erin Vaughan 3:19:46, Maria Kroonenberg 3:25:56, Sarah Shepherd 3:28:57. Walk; Joff Hulbert 4:40:50. Sherryn Hardy 5:04:22. Half marathon; Alexis Bahamonde 1:25:12. Sabina Piras 1:26:21. Walk; Eric Kemsley 2:10:10. Helen Baverstock 2:38:24.

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