Athletics: New Zealanders struggle at Junior Worlds

Hayden McLaren (#546) of New Zealand competes in the men's 1500 metres heats during the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China. Picture / Reuters

New Zealand athletes failed to advance past the heats on the opening day of the world junior athletic championships in Beijing, China, yesterday.

Hayden McLaren, of Christchurch, finished seventh in heat three of the 1500m heats.

McLaren, who had been suffering from gastro illness for two days, clocked 3 minutes 50.03 seconds.

Ruth Croft, of North Canterbury, and Melissa Murrihy, of Taumarunui, contested the heats of the 3000m steeplechase.

Croft, who had also been ill before the event, finished 16th and second to last in her heat, running 11min 17.35sec.

Murrihy was last, also in 16th place, in the second heat, recording 11min 43.03sec.

Day two of competition will see Kieran Fowler, of Geraldine, and Jordan Vandermade, of Auckland, in action on day one of the decathlon.

Shafat Salad, of Hamilton, will compete in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase, and Nick Kalivati, of Wellington, is down for the heats of the 400m hurdles.

- NZPA