|
|
 |
|
|
Craig Kirkwood will be seeking to cap his most successful winter of racing with the New Zealand road running title in Feilding on Saturday.
Kirkwood has won the Wellington cross country and road titles and went close to beating Phil Costley for the New Zealand cross country title in Nelson three weeks ago.
The 31 year old ran the fastest 10km, among the various centre championships, recording 30m 37s in beating Michael Wakelin by 12s for the Wellington title.
Kirkwood is just over a month out from his next goal, a sub 2h 15m marathon in Chicago on 9 October. The Manchester Commonwealth Games representative is keen to secure a qualifying performance for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Competition for the road title, staged around the Manfeild Autopark race track, will come from Ben Ruthe of Athletics North, Matt Dravitzki of Wellington and the 2001 champion Robbie Johnston from Athletics North.
Athletic North's Jess Ruthe, runner up in the national cross country championship, should battle out the women's title with Sarah Christie of Wellington. Christie won the title in Hamilton in 2001.
It will be New Zealand athletic title number 30 for Craig Barrett of Hamilton, if he is successful in winning the 10km road walking championship. Since his first senior title over 30km in 1993, Barrett has chalked up 29 titles over various distances on the track and road. Barrett has had a rest since returning from the world championships in Helsinki, but is still in shape for the race on Saturday. National 20km walking champion Tony Sargisson of Athletics North will present a strong challenge to the milestone that Barrett is pursuing. Barrett's next goal is the New Zealand 50km championship in Hastings on 23 October and a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games.
Hayden McLaren of Canterbury and Shafat Salad will go head to head in the men 19 event, while Alice Mason of Wellington should add the national title to her Wellington 19 road title.
The championship programme is:
9.30am All walk events.
11.00am 5km women 19, women 16 masters women.
11.45am 3km under 14 boys and girls, non championship.
12.15pm 6km men 16.
12.45 pm 8km men 19.
1.30pm 10km senior men, senior women, masters men.
source Athletics New Zealand |
|
|
