The tape measure and stop-watch made their first appearance of the season last night.
After two Wednesday fun nights without distance and time being recorded at Awapuni Stadium, Gisborne Athletics got serious. The rain stayed away, kids seven and under were out and about, and some 50 competitors seven andupwards put up a number of good performances.
Twelve-year-old Lachlan Phillips pipped James Redpath, in a field of nine, by 2cm to win the long jump with a distance of 4.11.
James's brother Blake, 12, took out the first 1500m race of the season, the pair making a significant effort to make the weekly trip in from Matawai to compete.
Ruby Sadler, 12, won the 300m race — her brother Jack, 15, Yr11 on an athletics scholarship at King's College (who broke the King's intermediate 100m record with 11.38s earlier this year) providing the inspiration.
Hunter, 9, and Reid Cumming, 7 — both new to athletics — threw well in discus on their first night, while Ned Cook won the 8-year-old discus by 1cm. Lola Dodds, 8, had a fantastic evening, with wins in the 50m and 80m, and coming second in the 300m.
Mangapapa Primary School and Central School host their athletics sports today, with Makaraka holding their event on Monday. Interschool primary athletics are to be held next Wednesday.
