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Marathon runner takes up appointment with Athletics New Zealand
Prominent New Zealand marathon runner Craig Kirkwood has been appointed sport development manager with Athletics New Zealand in Wellington.
Kirkwood has a vast background in the sport which includes working for John Walker's previous European agent, the late Kim McDonald in London. Kirkwood was involved in promoting McDonald's athletes in the United Kingdom and United States.
Jeremy Kennerley, chief executive officer of Athletics New Zealand, said they were fortunate to secure someone of Kirkwood's experience.
"Craig will assist us with the development of the non-elite area of competition, which will lead to an increase in the level of participation in the sport of athletics nationwide," he said.
Kirkwood, aged 30, who is currently general manager of Athletics Auckland, will take up the new position in June.
New Zealand athletes collect nine Gold Medals at Australian Champs.
New Zealand athletes won nine titles at the Australian under 20 and under 23 championships in Queensland over the weekend.
Three times New Zealand senior 110m hurdles champion James Mortimer was outstanding in the under 23 110m hurdles dipping under 14 seconds for the first time with a legal 13.94s for the gold medal. This time is just outside the New Zealand national record of 13.90s, set by Tim Soper at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.
At the recent New Zealand championships Mortimer set a New Zealand resident record of 14.05s.
In total New Zealand athletes won 30 medals, nine gold, eight silver and 13 bronze, over the three days of competition at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan, Brisbane.
Other winners were, Clare Goodwin under 23 5000m in 17m 38.21s, Sarah Cowley under 23 long jump 5.95m, Matthew Brown under 20 100m 10.82s, Michael Hancock under 20 hammer throw 57.80m, James Dolphin under 23 200m 21.16s, Monique Williams under 23 400m 54.27s, Cory Innes under 23 400m 47.07s, and Grant Knaggs under 23 high jump 2.08m.
Jessica Penney gained two silver medals, in the under 20 100m hurdles in 14.84s and in the long jump with 5.71m. Penney was also sixth in the final of the 100m and fifth in the 200m final.
Summary NZ Results can be found on the Athletics NZ website www.athletics.org.nz
Tracey Clissold second in Canberra Marathon
Tracey Clissold, winner of last year's Rotorua and Auckland marathons, finished second in the Canberra Marathon yesterday (Sunday).
Aiming for the Helsinki world championship qualifying time of 2h 42m, Clissold, now based in Auckland, recorded 2h 46m 27s.
The women's section was won by Billinda Schipp of New South Wales in 2h 43m 52s.
Brent Pulley of Canterbury was sixth in 2h 32m 55s.
source Athletics New Zealand
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