Athletics New Zealand is hoping at attract some of the world's top athletes here in March with the announcement of five meetings around the country ahead of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
World champion Tom Walsh will host two shot put events in his "home towns" of Timau and Christchurch.
Eliza McCartney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Olympic bronze medalist Eliza McCartney will star in a pole-vault event in Auckland, while there will also be full meetings in Whanganui and West Auckland.
The series begins with a new event, the Timaru Super Shot, (14 March) will see Kiwi's Walsh and Jacko Gill taking on some of the best throwers in the world within the natural amphitheatre of the Caroline Bay Soundshell on Timaru's waterfront. Thousands of South Canterbury fans are expected to attend, watching their hometown hero in action against elite international competitors.
The popular Big Shot event in Christchurch will once again feature on the calendar, with the elite throwers heading to the Garden City to put on a show for loyal Canterbury athletics fans. This competition, hosted by Christchurch's International Track Meet Trust saw New Zealand records tumble in 2017.
The Vertical Pursuit (18 March) will see the highly successful Vertical Pursuit "street" pole vault event, held at Britomart this February, move to the Federal Street entertainment precinct at SKYCITY in Auckland's CBD.
Tom Walsh (NZ) during Big Shot, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Once again kiwi star Eliza McCartney will take to the runway, alongside a great cast of New Zealand and international athletes.
The Whanganui International Track Meet (Whanganui, 21 March) will see elite athletes compete at the iconic Cooks Gardens venue in Whanganui. New Zealand's "home of the mile", scene of Sir Peter Snell's Mile world record run in 1962, this venue is loved by athletes. The Sir Peter Snell International Mile will be the feature event, with top milers from around the country as well as international runners, competing for a rich prize purse and the chance to earn a coveted Sub Four Cap, awarded to athletes that break the four minute mile barrier at Cooks Gardens.
Rounding out the series is the Sir Graeme Douglas International (West Auckland, 25 March). Formerly the Auckland Track Challenge this event has been renamed for Auckland businessman, philanthropist and great supporter of athletics Sir Graeme Douglas, who passed away last year. The event will feature many of New Zealand's Commonwealth Games bound athletes and national representatives from other Commonwealth countries.
Fans will be invited onto the infield, watching the action from special spectator zones only metres from the athletes, creating a cauldron atmosphere that will spur the athletes on and allow fans the chance to watch the power, grace and speed of world class athletics up close and personal.
With New Zealand athletes expected to excel in a range of disciplines on the Gold Coast next April, these competitions offer a great chance for athletes to compete in front of a hometown crowd and also provide a great test of form ahead of the Games.
Athletics New Zealand High Performance Director Scott Goodman sees the benefits of having meets in front of Kiwi fans ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
"The Athletics New Zealand International Series is an important part of the preparation for our team ahead of the Commonwealth Games," said Goodman.
"We expect the athletes will be firing and they will be excited to compete against the best in front of New Zealand fans," added Goodman.
New Zealand world shot put champion, Tom Walsh is excited about the home series.
"Most of the season we're living out of hotel rooms competing in Europe and North America so having the chance to show what we can do in front of Kiwis is always a highlight," said Walsh.
"I'm particularly excited to host some of the world's best throwers in my hometown of Timaru. Hopefully the locals will turn out in big numbers to watch us go at it!" added Walsh.
Series Dates & Venues:
14 March Timaru Super Shot - Caroline Bay, Timaru
16 March The Big Shot - Christchurch CBD
18 March SKYCITY Vertical Pursuit (Pole Vault) - Federal St, Auckland CBD
21 March Whanganui International Track Meeting - Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
25 March Sir Graeme Douglas International - Douglas Track & Field, West Auckland
