400m specialist Tayla Brunger agreed to set the pace taking the field through the first lap in 66 seconds. The struggle against the wind on the home straight took its toll and the pace, not unexpectedly, dropped. Baker took over the lead with Osborne in close attention. Brunger did not pull out as anticipated but hung on for third with a commendable personal best of 2:22.48.
Osborne struck for home as she ran into the final bend and came home strongly into the wind to record an excellent 2:19.24 with Baker stopping the clock at 2:21.05. All three can and will run very fast over the two laps in good conditions and future races, including Whanganui Schools next month, which will be well worth watching.
The male 800m was won by Year 11 athlete Joseph Sinclair, the younger brother of William who ran so well in the 1500m a week ago. Sinclair and second placed Travis Bayler can look forward to better times in better conditions.
The in-form Liam Back should also be pleased with both his time and his race execution winning a windy 3000m in (9:01.77) from visiting Wellington senior athlete Isaac Murphy ( 9:05.37).
The forecast is much better for a very busy weekend of track and field at Cooks Gardens.
The New Zealand Combined Events (Decathlon and Heptathlon) returns to the city. The track, with its ability to time on both straights for sprint events, has been a major factor in the event returning to the venue only two years after hosting it in 2016.
The innovation of allowing spectators up close to field events was extremely popular and will be continued along with the lucky number draw for spectators taking up this opportunity. The more field events watched over the two days the more chance of winning.
The camaraderie between athletes and the nature of two days of competition make Combined Events and combined event athletes a special breed.
The Men's Decathlon will be a highlight of the two days.
Former Collegiate athlete Max Attwell defends his title. Attwell, who has a personal best of 6975 points, will be looking to not only score substantially over 7000 points and put real pressure on New Zealand Olympian Brent Newdick who has returned to the sport and is making a late bid for inclusion in the Commonwealth Games.
Newdick has twice returned from World University Games with medals (silver in 2009 and bronze two years later). He finished a highly creditable 12th at the London Olympics in 2012 and has a personal best of 7915 points. Last week he scored 7144 at the Australian Championships which sets up an excellent battle with Attwell for the title.
Double Japanese Olympian Keisake Ushiro, who competed two years ago at Cooks Gardens in the 2106 event makes a welcome return to the River City. At his best he has scored over 8300 points and is very much a crowd favourite and once again will be well worth watching.
Palmerston North athlete Ariana Blackwood defends her women's title and warmed up well at the venue on Tuesday at the Centre Championships.
We have local interest in the under-20 women's Heptahlon with last year's silver medal winner Lexi Maples hoping to climb to the top of the podium.
The Combined event programme starts at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.
There is more action at Cooks Gardens on Saturday evening with the Wanganui Collegiate Inter House event which provides almost four hours of action from 5pm.
There is always a big crowd and the team nature of the event generates an exciting atmosphere.
Although it is a team event there are some outstanding head-to-head battles to savour.
Liam Back and William Sinclair again meet over 1500m and Tayla Brunger and Emma Osborne meet over 300m with the school and track record under threat.
