Excitement is rising as the first official event on Northland's new all-weather track nears, heralding a new athletics era in the region. Most of the events at Athletics Northland's 2010 Track and Field Championships will be contested on the new track at Kensington Park, getting under way at 7pm tomorrow andon Sunday from 10am. But two championship events have already been held. On Tuesday, the hammer throw - for which a suitable cage is not yet available, was contested, as was the 5000m, as officials wanted it kept separate from other longer events. Combined grades women's hammer thrower Barbara Austin took gold, Val Babe silver and Colleen Brunker bronze, while in the men's, the sole competitor Barry Dyer, won gold. In the combined 5000m, Ian Calder, 52, had little difficulty taking the senior men's title, ahead of Fred Needham and Steve Trass. But the women's race was won by rising-star 12-year-old Imogen Hull, with consistent performer Jenna Smith taking silver. Athletic history will be created tomorrow when Hayley Gilchrist, Riana Philips, Delwyn Smith and Clarrisa Van Der Veeken contest the women's combined grades 200m. Regardless of who wins gold, all four will share the honour of being first to compete on the new track. Throughout the championships this weekend, talented young competitors are likely to show a new era is emerging in which our local athletes can match the best in the country. In the combined women's 800m on Sunday, young runners Tayla Going, Melissa Simpson and Riana Philips are likely to outclass the senior competitors. Similarly in the combined men's field, Ryan Slater, Ethan Carter and Ryan Smith - who studies in Auckland and is competing by invitation - are likely to leave the senior runners in their wake. High Jumper Riana Phillips, who holds Northland G14 and W16 records, will have little difficulty surpassing seniors, but will try to raise the bar for a new record. In the combined 300m hurdles on Sunday Chris Portch, 60, will compete against Hayley Gilchrist - one of the rising stars he coaches.
