Athletics: Northland perform strong on World Masters stage

Northland brought home a bunch of medals from the 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships. From left, Ian Calder, Mark Lett, Sien Van Der Vieken, Delwyn Smith and Judith Stewart. Photo/John Stone

Northland have their own Usain Bolt-like dominating figure in athletics, just not in a division you hear a lot about.

Sien Van Der Vieken was the star performer at the 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships, bringing home eight medals in the women's 85-89 division, including four golds and a world record.

Of her world record in the 2000m steeplechase and her other medals, Van Der Vieken said she was quite surprised.

"I only found out about the record back in NZ because they didn't announce it at the event, so that was a bit of a pleasant shock," she said.

"I didn't expect to do so well, even though not too many compete in my division considering the age group."

Van Der Vieken ran the 2000m event in 18:30:80. She also took gold medals in the hammer throw (17.29m), long jump (1.84m) and triple jump (3.87m).

Her distances in the hammer throw and long jump were New Zealand records.

Because of the lack of competitors in her own age group, Van Der Vieken doesn't do a whole lot of training, a testament to her natural ability.

"There is not much training in my group because of the age so I do it on my own at the athletic club," she said.

"Most of those training there are 40-50 though so I can't keep up."

Van Der Vieken took silver in the 1500m and 800m, as well as bronze in the 100m and 400m.

She wasn't the only Northlander who impressed, with Ian Calder, Judith Stewart and Barbara Austin also gaining medals.

Calder had gold in the M55 800m (in a time of 2:15:34) and the M45 half-marathon (4:05:10.00) as well as silver in the M55 1500m.

Stewart took bronze in the W65 10,000m in a time of 48:38:31, while Austin also picked up bronze in the W70 shotput.

Calder said it was a fantastic event.

"It's the biggest Masters athletics event ever and since it was in Perth, we went along and performed really well," he said.

"Most likely the whole club will go to the World Masters in Auckland next year and we should hopefully do really well."

Ninety-one countries took park in the athletics championships, with just over 4000 competitors taking part.

Calder said Northland Masters are always looking for more people to join their ranks.

"We have our Northland Masters Champs on Waitangi Day, which involves our own members and other clubs," he said.

"We also have two open days for people to have a go at the events. We will have coaches there to help teach."

"There is also the winter cross-country and the road champs which we are part of."

Calder said anyone interested in taking part should head to TRIGG Sports Arena on Tuesdays and Thursdays where coaches are there to help for free.