No one can tell Whangarei's Madi Doar she doesn't have heart, after stepping up to the challenge laid on the final 500m at the first leg of the Athletics Auckland Cross Country Grand Prix.
The 13-year-old Doar showed the initiative to take the lead from the start, fending off AucklandersLaura Watkinson and Millie Anderson, only to be passed on the final straight. However, Doar wasn't finished yet.
With around 500m to go in Saturday's under-15 race, the Auckland girls took the lead, causing Doar to respond and claim back the lead. However, Doar didn't have enough in the tank as Watkinson passed her close to the finish with just one second separating them.
Also in the under-15 race, steeplechaser Jess Pilmer, 13, was clear in fourth place, with Ella Harold, also 13, finishing strongly in sixth place. Twelve-year-old Courtney Crum made a successful debut for her club as she ran strongly to finish 11th overall.
The results in the under-15 race made Athletics Whangarei the most successful team in this age group.
In the under-18 race, 15-year-old Hazel Tana and Rachyl Edge, 14, produced strong performances to finish in 10th and 12th respectively.
The weekend's racing shows Athletics Whangarei's top young runners have continued their strong season to date, even as they transition from the track to cross country.
The next meeting, the second of six series, of the Athletics Auckland Cross Country Grand Prix will be in Pakuranga on May 11.
