New Paige in athletics history

A 1500m record, which stood for 23 years in Rotorua, fell at the feet of one of our city's brightest young athletes.

The Mid Island Zone Secondary Schools Athletics day was held at Rotorua Lakes High School yesterday, with 542 athletes from 18 schools competing.

John Paul College Year 10 student Paige Satchell, 14, broke two long distance running records at the event - the Intermediate Girls 1500m (set in 1990) and the Intermediate Girls 3000m (set in 2012). "That was my goal today," Paige said.

"I'm hoping to break the record at the North Island champs too."

Paige said she started off as a sprinter in primary school but her coach, Mark Edmonds, got her racing long distance.

"I train after school on Mondays and Wednesdays at Smallbone Park," she said.

"And I also play soccer which helps with my running."

She said her mother, who was there watching yesterday, was also a runner when she was at school.

Her coach said Paige had a huge heart for a small runner.

"She is a great long distance runner with the speed to finish strong," he said.

Mr Edmonds said Paige also held the current New Zealand Secondary School Cross Country girls title, which she won last year as a Year 9 student.

"She has a huge future. [The other competitors] won't even touch her at nationals," he said.

Meanwhile, Rotorua Lakes High School duo Sam Robinson and Josh Chemis placed first and second in the 1500m Senior Boys final, on their home field.