Alec McNab talks athletics

ATHLETICS: Tuesday evening's athletic club night programme featured odd distance events which can be so valuable for athletes as they prepare for major challenges ahead.
In fact Tuesday could be viewed by many of the younger athletes as the calm before the storm as they face the dual challenge of major exams and major championships over the next four weeks. And under or over distance events can tell a lot to both athlete and coach as they enter the event preparation phase of their training.
Sarah Tatton confirmed that she is coming into good form with an outstanding effort over 600 metres. Tatton was over a second under her 1min 38sec target and knows that she is on target for good times at both the New Zealand Secondary Schools and Australian schools early next month.
Likewise Ben Osborne, running in both the 300 metres and 600 metres, should be delighted with his effort in 600 metres only 15 minutes after his 300 metres.
Steeplechaser Gareth Benic also chose to run a shorter faster race and came home well in the 1000 metres just outside his best for the distance. However, the manner he ran it with a strong last 400 metres bodes well in terms of speed for the challenges ahead.
Carl McKenzie ran on over a further 1000 metres to record an excellent two-kilometre time run the hard way and is on track for both the Commonwealth Youth games (1500m ) and New Zealand schools (3000m). Holly and Lucy Van Dalen also stepped down to 1000 metres and both came home well after a slow opening 400 metres, while in sprint events the in-form NZ Youth international Daniel Natusch stepped up to 300 metres to record an outstanding 36sec for the race.
The 400 metre runner Jessica Sloan indicated good 800-metre potential with a good effort over 600 metres.
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This weekend sees the second round of the Central qualifying round of the national teams competition where the Central Club look towards consolidating its lead.
The league gives excellent competition for our athletes only three weeks out from New Zealand secondary schools to be run in Hamilton over the first weekend in December. The final Teams' qualifying round is in Palmerston North in two weeks. ++++++
The New Zealand Secondary Championships annually attracts over 1600 athletes from some 200 schools. Most Wanganui region schools will have athletes in Hamilton with the biggest contingent from Wanganui Collegiate, which will be sending over 30 athletes to the meeting.
Two Wanganui athletes will arrive at Hamilton via Bendigo Australia. Carl McKenzie (Wanganui High School) and Daniel Natusch (Wanganui Collegiate School) will compete in the Commonwealth Youth Games and return to New Zealand in time for the second half of the NZ Championships. The Hamilton programme has undergone some changes to cater for these athletes.
Another group of athletes will be crossing the Tasman immediately after the New Zealand Schools to compete in the Australian version in Sydney one week later.
The athletes who have met the criteria include Hautahi Kingi (400 metres), Holly Van Dalen (3000 m & 1500 metres) Ben Osborne (800metres), Lucy van Dalen (800 metres and 1500 metres) Sarah Tatton (800 metres) Gareth Benic (steeplechase) and two from Palmerston North.
There are still a couple of vacancies and interested athletes who have met the criteria should contact me as soon as possible.