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Alec McNab
Columnist
Whanganui

The New Zealand Herald has more than 200 journalists across the country, bringing you the stories that matter on our website and app, in print and across our social media platforms.

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Alec’s latest content
'No one does ops like Kat': NZ loses athletics high performance leader
Sport

'No one does ops like Kat': NZ loses athletics high performance leader

28 May 05:00 PM
Athletics: Cross country season special for Harrier Club
Sport

Athletics: Cross country season special for Harrier Club

21 May 05:00 PM

Whanganui Harrier Club celebrates its centenary with events on June 20-22.

Athletics: Young athletes climb ranks
Sport

Athletics: Young athletes climb ranks

14 May 05:00 PM

The Whanganui rankings list top performances for the 2024-2025 season.

Athletics: Youth tours offer benefits beyond competition
Sport

Athletics: Youth tours offer benefits beyond competition

07 May 05:00 PM

Jono Maples will compete in England and Belgium this month.

Athletics: Secondary Schools Association stands test of time
Sport

Athletics: Secondary Schools Association stands test of time

30 Apr 05:00 PM

After more than 50 years, the association is still achieving its aims.

Athletics: Record turnout for parkrun
Sport

Athletics: Record turnout for parkrun

23 Apr 05:00 PM

A record 202 participants joined the weekly Whanganui Riverbank parkrun last Saturday.

Whanganui athletes shine at inaugural Manawatū/Whanganui awards
Sport

Whanganui athletes shine at inaugural Manawatū/Whanganui awards

16 Apr 05:00 PM

George Beamish won the Molly Dorne Cup as MWA athlete of the year.

Athletics: Whanganui long jumper claims secondary schools gold
Sport

Athletics: Whanganui long jumper claims secondary schools gold

09 Apr 05:00 PM

Whanganui athletes set 50 personal bests at the championships.

Athletics: Whanganui athletes bring home gold from New Zealand Track and Field Champs
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Whanganui athletes bring home gold from New Zealand Track and Field Champs

11 Mar 10:26 PM

The Manawatū-Whanganui team punched above its wait

Whanganui athletes ready for national championships in Dunedin
Sport

Whanganui athletes ready for national championships in Dunedin

05 Mar 04:00 PM

Six Whanganui athletes will compete as part of the Manawatū-Whanganui team.

Athletics: Busy week of track of field
Sport

Athletics: Busy week of track of field

26 Feb 04:00 PM

Whanganui's Cooks Gardens hosted six meetings over seven days.

Cooks Gardens shines as athletes gear up for NZ Championships
Whanganui Chronicle

Cooks Gardens shines as athletes gear up for NZ Championships

19 Feb 05:00 PM

The NZ Track and Field Championships will be in Dunedin from March 6-9.

Young athlete shines, selected for NZ team to compete in California
Sport

Young athlete shines, selected for NZ team to compete in California

12 Feb 04:00 PM

Juliet McKinlay has impressed at events throughout the season.

From strength to endurance: Masters athletes defy ageing at Games
Sport

From strength to endurance: Masters athletes defy ageing at Games

05 Feb 04:00 PM

Older athletes impress at the NZ Masters Games.

Olympian star power fuels Pak’nSave Cooks Classic
Sport

Olympian star power fuels Pak’nSave Cooks Classic

29 Jan 04:00 PM

Olympic champion Hamish Kerr drew a large crowd to watch the high jump.

What to expect at Whanganui’s star-studded Cooks Classic
Whanganui Chronicle

What to expect at Whanganui’s star-studded Cooks Classic

23 Jan 04:00 PM

Three hundred athletes from seven countries compete in Whanganui on Saturday.

‘Home of the Mile’: Cooks Gardens set for record-breaking event
Sport

‘Home of the Mile’: Cooks Gardens set for record-breaking event

22 Jan 04:00 PM

Cooks Gardens will host the Pak’nSave Cooks Classic on Saturday.

Athletics: Cooks Classic welcomes Olympic champions to Whanganui
Sport

Athletics: Cooks Classic welcomes Olympic champions to Whanganui

15 Jan 04:00 PM

Cooks Classic features Olympic champs Hamish Kerr, Anna Grimaldi and rising stars.

Whanganui athletics boosted by resurfaced Cooks Gardens track
Sport

Whanganui athletics boosted by resurfaced Cooks Gardens track

08 Jan 04:00 PM

The track work was completed early and it is ready for a busy athletics season.

Athletics: Young hurdlers show promise for future
Sport

Athletics: Young hurdlers show promise for future

18 Dec 04:00 PM

Whanganui athletes performed well at the NZ Secondary Schools Track and Field Champs.

Athletics: National hurdles title for Whanganui student
Sport

Athletics: National hurdles title for Whanganui student

11 Dec 04:00 PM

Damian Hodgson won the NZ Schools senior boys 300m hurdles.

The Whanganui athletes to look out for at the NZSSC
Whanganui Chronicle

The Whanganui athletes to look out for at the NZSSC

04 Dec 04:00 PM

Whanganui has 26 athletes at the Secondary School Championships, with three from Marton.

Athletics: Cooks Gardens resurfacing under way
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Cooks Gardens resurfacing under way

20 Nov 04:00 PM

Athletics has moved to a grass track at Collegiate in the meantime.

Athletics: Improved Whanganui team performance
Sport

Athletics: Improved Whanganui team performance

13 Nov 04:00 PM

The male team moved from bottom of the table to fourth.

Athletics: Whanganui students show good early season form
Sport

Athletics: Whanganui students show good early season form

06 Nov 04:00 PM

Collegiate's Juliet McKinlay had a highly successful day in Hastings.

Athletics: New parkrun milestone
Sport

Athletics: New parkrun milestone

30 Oct 04:25 PM

A record number of participants took part in the 200th parkrun.

Athletics: Fastest Kid on the Block returns
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Fastest Kid on the Block returns

23 Oct 04:00 PM

Winners qualify for the finals at the Cooks Classic.

Great turnout for start of track and field season
Sport

Great turnout for start of track and field season

16 Oct 04:00 PM

Whanganui's two sessions this week attracted plenty of interest.

Athletics season in starting blocks
Sport

Athletics season in starting blocks

09 Oct 04:00 PM

Club nights in Whanganui start next week.

Alec McNab: What a new track means for Cooks Gardens
Whanganui Chronicle

Alec McNab: What a new track means for Cooks Gardens

02 Oct 04:00 PM

OPINION: 'I firmly believe that Cooks Gardens is the best athletics venue in New Zealand'

Alec McNab: Cooks Classic returns to kick track and field majors
Whanganui Chronicle

Alec McNab: Cooks Classic returns to kick track and field majors

25 Sep 05:00 PM

Up to five of the events will have World Athletics bronze status.

Athletics: Spring heralds new children's programme
Sport

Athletics: Spring heralds new children's programme

18 Sep 05:00 PM

A rejuvenated children's athletics programme is on offer in Whanganui.

Athletics: Promising changes for sport's future
Sport

Athletics: Promising changes for sport's future

11 Sep 05:00 PM

Alec McNab reflects on the past and looks forward to the future of athletics.

Athletics: Para-athletes inspirational for young competitors
Sport

Athletics: Para-athletes inspirational for young competitors

04 Sep 05:00 PM

Paralympics should give cause for thought to reluctant participants, writes Alec McNab.

Athletics: Much to look forward to at Paralympics
Sport

Athletics: Much to look forward to at Paralympics

28 Aug 05:00 PM

Track and field has a strong NZ team of six athletes, writes Alec McNab.

Athletics: 'Quiet improver' an Olympics highlight
Sport

Athletics: 'Quiet improver' an Olympics highlight

14 Aug 05:00 PM

Maddison-Lee Wesche’s silver medal was a highlight for NZ's track and field campaign.

Athletics: Olympics track and field compelling
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Olympics track and field compelling

07 Aug 05:00 PM

Alec McNab is glued to television athletics coverage, despite his jetlag.

Athletics: Outstanding London meet before Olympics
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Outstanding London meet before Olympics

24 Jul 05:00 PM

The London Diamond League meet was track and field at its best, Alec McNab writes.

Athletics: Diamond League packed with Kiwi talent
Whanganui Midweek

Athletics: Diamond League packed with Kiwi talent

17 Jul 05:00 PM

Kiwis in action in javelin, shot put, high jump and pole vault.

Athletics: Major confidence boost for Beamish
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Major confidence boost for Beamish

10 Jul 05:00 PM

Alec McNab had to wait for the results — but it was worth it.

Athletics: Football front and centre in UK
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Football front and centre in UK

03 Jul 05:00 PM

Track and field is taking a back seat in the UK during Euro 2024.

Athletics: 50 years of school cross country
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: 50 years of school cross country

26 Jun 05:00 PM

There have been some turbulent times over the years.

Athletics: Cross country runners shine at NZ champs
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Cross country runners shine at NZ champs

19 Jun 05:00 PM

New Zealand Schools Cross Country Championships returned to the QEII and Ascot Parks.

Athletics: Students turn out for cross country champs
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Students turn out for cross country champs

12 Jun 05:00 PM

There were some outstanding performances at the Dudding Lake course.

Athletics: Whanganui athletes show character
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Whanganui athletes show character

05 Jun 05:00 PM

Alec McNab has observed great demonstrations of character this week.

Athletics: Historic weekend for New Zealand athletes
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Historic weekend for New Zealand athletes

29 May 05:00 PM

Beamish goes to number two in the New Zealand all-time mile list.

Athletics: Whanganui schools' event canned
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Whanganui schools' event canned

22 May 07:48 PM

Cross country events held in miserable conditions can become etched in athletes’ memories.

Whanganui athletes prepare for Oceania champs
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui athletes prepare for Oceania champs

15 May 05:00 PM

Athletes heading to the Oceania Championships are training in very different locations.

Alec McNab: Collegiate marks 50 years of football
Whanganui Chronicle

Alec McNab: Collegiate marks 50 years of football

08 May 05:00 PM

1981 captain Ian Rogers has released his history of the sport at the school.

Comment: Athletics Wanganui and Harrier Club discuss merger
Whanganui Chronicle

Comment: Athletics Wanganui and Harrier Club discuss merger

01 May 05:00 PM

Combining under one banner looks more hopeful than previous attempts.

Fomer Whanganui athletes making statements
Whanganui Chronicle

Fomer Whanganui athletes making statements

24 Apr 05:00 PM

Former local athletes are performing well nationally and internationally.

Young athletes' PBs promising for future
Whanganui Chronicle

Young athletes' PBs promising for future

17 Apr 05:00 PM

The Whanganui team set 46 personal bests at the North Island Schools Champs.

North Island Schools titles for Whanganui athletes
Whanganui Chronicle

North Island Schools titles for Whanganui athletes

10 Apr 05:00 PM

There were personal bests by a number of athletes.

Athletics: Large team heading to North Island schools champs
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Large team heading to North Island schools champs

03 Apr 04:00 PM

Whanganui is sending its largest-ever team.

Whanganui runner smashes world record
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui runner smashes world record

27 Mar 04:00 PM

The 5000m comes at an excellent time as Gibbs prepares for the famous Boston Marathon

Success for Whanganui athletes at nationals
Whanganui Chronicle

Success for Whanganui athletes at nationals

20 Mar 04:00 PM

The track and field medal haul includes four golds, five silvers and five bronzes.

NZ Track and Field champs: Maples eyes third straight title
Whanganui Chronicle

NZ Track and Field champs: Maples eyes third straight title

13 Mar 04:00 PM

Whanganui provides 18 athletes in the 47-strong Manawatu/Whanganui team

'Putting track and field back on the map'
Whanganui Chronicle

'Putting track and field back on the map'

06 Mar 04:00 PM

Alec McNab reflects on the NZ team's impressive performance at the world indoor champs.

Cooks Gardens busy with school athletics events
Whanganui Chronicle

Cooks Gardens busy with school athletics events

28 Feb 04:00 PM

School championships are part of the busy athletics season at Cooks.

Strong Whanganui connections in athletics team for world champs
Whanganui Chronicle

Strong Whanganui connections in athletics team for world champs

21 Feb 04:00 PM

Kat Austin will lead the team at the World Indoor Athletics Champs.

Whanganui athletes shine at Porritt Classic in Hamilton
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui athletes shine at Porritt Classic in Hamilton

14 Feb 04:00 PM

Whanganui athletes set a heap of PBs at the popular event.

Personal bests for Whanganui athletes at Capital Classic
Whanganui Chronicle

Personal bests for Whanganui athletes at Capital Classic

07 Feb 04:00 PM

Jonathan Maples and Daniel Sinclair had strong performances at the weather-affected event.

Athletics: Cooks Gardens serves up another classic mile
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Cooks Gardens serves up another classic mile

01 Feb 04:00 PM

The Cooks Classic drew a large number of entries, including athletes from six countries.

Strong line-up for Whanganui's Cooks Classic
Whanganui Chronicle

Strong line-up for Whanganui's Cooks Classic

24 Jan 04:00 PM

The event is important preparation in an Olympics year.

Athletics: Peter Snell Mile Challenge kicks off Cooks Classic week
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Peter Snell Mile Challenge kicks off Cooks Classic week

17 Jan 04:00 PM

How would you go at the mile challenge?

Whanganui athletes gear up for big year
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui athletes gear up for big year

10 Jan 04:00 PM

Alec McNab takes a look at what's coming up on the track and field calendar.

Success for Whanganui students at NZ Track and Field Championships
Whanganui Chronicle

Success for Whanganui students at NZ Track and Field Championships

13 Dec 04:00 PM

The team claimed eight medals and a swag of personal bests.

Whanganui team primed for nationals
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui team primed for nationals

06 Dec 01:03 AM

More than 200 schools will be competing.

Athletics: Third for Whanganui in Central Teams series
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Third for Whanganui in Central Teams series

29 Nov 04:00 PM

The team was hampered by injuries and unavailability.

Alec McNab: Whanganui Riverbank Parkrun clocks 150 events
Whanganui Chronicle

Alec McNab: Whanganui Riverbank Parkrun clocks 150 events

23 Nov 04:00 PM

The Whanganui Riverbank Parkrun owes much to the organisation of Judy Mellsop.

Athletics: Busy second round of Central Teams competition
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Busy second round of Central Teams competition

15 Nov 04:00 PM

More than 200 athletes competed at the World Athletics Heritage venue.

Athletics: Whanganui guns back on home track
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Whanganui guns back on home track

08 Nov 04:00 PM

Cooks Gardens hosts a round of the Central Teams Competition

Athletics: Whanganui benefits from Chilean athletes' enthusiasm
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Whanganui benefits from Chilean athletes' enthusiasm

01 Nov 04:00 PM

Four young athletes from Chile competed for Whanganui while on a three-month visit.

Athletics: In-form Daniel Sinclair sets new PB
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: In-form Daniel Sinclair sets new PB

26 Oct 04:00 PM

The first competition with the Central League teams is on Saturday at Inglewood.

Athletics: Spring makes for unpredictable season start
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Spring makes for unpredictable season start

19 Oct 04:00 PM

Athletes continue to battle the spring gales and changeable weather.

Athletics: Whanganui’s rich heritage paving the way for the future
Opinion

Athletics: Whanganui’s rich heritage paving the way for the future

04 Oct 04:00 PM

Alec McNab looks back at the development of sports clubs - and what's ahead.

Athletics: Whanganui athletes prepare for summer with pre-season meets
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Whanganui athletes prepare for summer with pre-season meets

20 Sep 05:00 PM

Alec McNab looks at the busy lead-up to the summer athletics season.

Athletics: Schools turn out in force for Round the Lake Relay
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Schools turn out in force for Round the Lake Relay

06 Sep 05:00 PM

It was the 43rd time the event has been held.

Fifth for Beamish in world champs steeplechase
Whanganui Chronicle

Fifth for Beamish in world champs steeplechase

22 Aug 10:00 PM

A group of young Whanganui runners is following in Beamish's footsteps.

Athletics: Cooks Classic to return in January
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Cooks Classic to return in January

16 Aug 05:00 PM

The Cooks Classic has retained its status as a Continental Tour Challenger Meet.

Athletics: Masters team claims bronze at nationals
Whanganui Chronicle

Athletics: Masters team claims bronze at nationals

09 Aug 05:00 PM

Alec McNab writes about more Whanganui success at the cross country champs.

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