Richard Harris won the feature event of the Lake City Athletic Club's track and field championships this week.
Harris tracked Alex Fletcher the whole distance during the men's 1500m and only took command in the last stride to win in 4.24.0 minutes from Fletcher's 4.25.0. They finished
first and second in the men's 20-34 grade.
Sam Rossiter (M 19) and Bruce Edwards (M45) battled down the finish straight for third and fourth respectively, with Rossiter clocking 4.55.0 and Edwards 4.56.0.
In the combined women and younger graded male athletes 1500m championships Kieran Gainsford (B13) lead all the way to record 5.13.0. Shannon O'Donnell in 5.50.0 was the first female across the line.
The walk 1500m championship had six finishers. Mark Geddes (M45) won in 9.06.0 from Mike Burkinshaw (M65) in 9.18.0. Christine Hocking (W50) walked in 10.01.0 to be the quickest female.
Other championship events contested were the long jump and shot put. Daniel Robson (M19) and Ryan Howe (B14), were the standout performers in the long jump, with Robson jumping 5.83 and Howe 5.35. Katie Sparrow (G14) recorded 4.79 to be the top female jumper.
The shot put championship saw Nicolaas Vickers (B13) throw his weight implement 11.35, while versatile Claudia Hyde (G13) had the best female throw when she recorded 8.23.
This Saturday, the younger Lake City members head to Taupo their Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty area qualifying track and field championships. Athletes that place in the top four then move on to Athletics Waikato BOP championships in March.
Next Wednesday evening at the Stadium's No 2 ground Lake City athletes will contest the following championship events - hammer throw (grade 16 and over), 200m and 5000m. Non-championship events scheduled are 60m and 800m.
