“When I was [aged] seven to nine, I did 60 metres, 100 metres, 200 metres, and long jump.
“Back then you could only do four events, but it sounds like you can do five now. That gives you an extra chance to try something else.”
Zoe Hobbs competed at the Colgate Games in Whanganui when she was 11. Photo / Mike Tweed
Briar Day, from the Pakuranga Athletics Club, said the rain hadn’t put her athletes off.
“They train in all weather, so they have to race in all weather.
“This is our first time here. It’s a really nice little city.”
A lot of businesses had been closed when visitors went for a look around, and it seemed like they didn’t know about the influx of thousands of people over the weekend, Day said.
According to the athletes, the Cooks Gardens track had been amazing to run on.
“It’s a great opportunity to come to Whanganui, and I would come back for sure,” Day said.
There were more than 1000 registered competitors aged between seven and 14 for this year’s event.
On the track, events ranged from 60m to 1500m, with relays also proving popular.
The team stayed at Whanganui Collegiate School for the weekend.
“Originally, it was meant to be in Palmerston North, so we booked the perfect motel over there. Then, in June, it was changed to Whanganui and everyone was scrambling for accommodation.
The boys' 400-metre events were run on a dry track on Sunday. Photo / Mike Tweed
“Collegiate has been brilliant. There are five teams, plus officials, staying there.”
Glenn Miscall, from the Mana Amateur Athletic Club, said it was his first time in Whanganui for a running meet.
“You can’t pick the weather - it’s just one of those things. We’re used to it down home, anyway.
“We are staying with family, and some of us have a beautiful Airbnb up the [Whanganui] river.
“This venue is great. There are two grandstands and banks for viewing. I think it’s probably better than Palmerston [North], where it was going to be.”
The club brought 17 athletes to town.
‘We’ve done quite well for a little club. We got gold in the mixed medley [14 years old], and we’re chuffed with that,” Miscall said.
“If there’s thunder and lightning, events might get delayed, but you can run in the rain, no problem at all.”
Hobbs said she began competing at the age of five.
“Back then, it was running relays and jumping through hula hoops. It was literally just fun.
