LANDING STRIP: Kelsey Berryman, who has set two personal bests at Cooks Gardens, has the long jump bonus firmly in her sights at the Cooks Classic tonight.
The Steelform Roofing Group Championship Mile at the Cooks Classic in Wanganui tonight is posing and exciting conundrum.
The absense of Olympian and New Zealand's best 1500m-1600m athlete Nick Willis has left an even field to run this year's event at Cooks Gardens with only a handful capable of breaking the magic 4 minute barrier.
Eric Speakman, the 63rd Cooks Gardens sub 4 minute miler, will set the pace for the athletes in a field that contains a group of Japanese athletes and two promising Australians.
The big question was whether the Potts Classic 800 metre winner and Australian representative Alex Rowe was tempted to chase the prize money and the honour of adding his name to the Cooks Gardens sub 4 roll of honour.
While severely tempted by the prizemoney on offer, Rowe has decided to stick to his plan and run the 400m in Whanganui in preparation for a major 800m event at the Capital Classic in Wellington on Friday.
Rowe barely broke into a sweat in the cool, perfect 23C conditions at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park on Saturday to finish almost 15m ahead of fellow travelling Australian stablemate Andre Waring. The 24-year-old Rowe from Melbourne clocked 1:48.06.
Cooks Classic organiser Alec McNab said spectators could look forward to a great night of track and field action regardless of the make up of the main event.
The main track programme commences at 7.15 pm.
"The indicator board at field events and knowledgeable commentary for track events allows spectators to follow the action," McNab said yesterday.
"The full programme is available for a gold coin donation at the gate and carries a lucky number draw with a voucher provided by Helloworld Travel."
What to expect and when?
Pre Meet
5.45pm - Dave Hoskin Carriers Men's Triple Jump and Helloworld Women's Triple Jump
A strong field of promising athletes will hop, step and jump toward personal best and podium performances.
5.45pm - Richard Drabczynski and Aspiring Athletes Discus Handicap Discus
Men and women throw in the winner take-all-handicap prize. Top performer is New Zealand World Championship team member Soisitina Hakea from Auckland.
7pm - St Johns Club Women's High Jump
A tight battle is expected in a closely matched field of seven women
Main Programme
7.15pm - Placemakers 100 metre Hurdles
Featuring Singapore athlete Jing Rong Kerstin Ong
7.20pm - Spooner, Hood and Redpath Limited 200 metre men
Top performer Joseph Miller is capable of breaking the ground record and will put his disqualification at the start on Saturday at the Potts Classic behind him. Palmerston North's Zac Topping, who won the 100 metres at Potts, and New Zealand School Champion Nick Smith could provide the main opposition.
7.25pm - Loaders Wanganui 200 metres women
The 100 metres in Hastings was a cracker with only hundredths of a second separating the field. All but one of the six leading runners are again in action with Singapore and Australian athletes in the mix.
7.30pm - Phillips Electrical New Zealand 3000 metre Junior Championship
An impressive field of 16 athletes are on the chase for medals. Hannah O'Connor (Taranaki) is the defending champion and is the ground junior record holder but in a who's who of junior athletes we can look forward to a great race.
7.40pm - The Grand Hotel Handicap Javelin
15 athletes chase the winner take all handicap prize. The leading three ranked women athletes para medal winner Holly Robinson and New Zealand's top male Ben Langton-Burnell will be in action holding off the challenge of the large field. Langton-Burnell and leading woman Tori Peeters will be chasing the performance incentives
7.45pm - Wanganui Collegiate Men and Women Long Jump
Kelsey Berryman who has set two personal bests at Cooks Gardens will not only be chasing the win in the women's section but has a performance bonus firmly in her sights
7.45pm - Mitre 10 Mega Shot Put
Can Jacko Gill break the ground record (20.06 Metres)? Can he earn the big additional bonus for a World Qualifying mark (20.50 m)? Our Olympic finalist is chasing further glory.
7.50pm - Unichem Pharmacy Fastest kid on the Block Finals
The children enter the stadium serenaded by singers from the New Zealand Opera School and go into age group action representing their suburbs.
8.10pm - Home Trust Mortgage 100m Under 18 Men
Strong local interest in this 100 metres in the shape of Travis Bayler, Logan Henry and Keiran Pere.
8.13pm - Wanganui Vet services 100 metres Under 18 Women
Local New Zealand School's under 16 100 metre champion Genna Maples in action against older girls.
8.20pm - Silks Audit Alan Webby Handicap 400 metres
15 men and women chase the winner take-all-prize. Alex Rowe, the winner of the 800 metres in Hastings has the fastest time but will face handicap challenges from all directions.
8.30pm - Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store Athletic New Zealand 3000m Junior Championship
A 21-strong field chase podium places. Local Christian Conder is among the favourites.
8.45pm - H & A Print 2x100m Men
Top sprinters in relay action.
8.45pm - Coastal Spring Lamb Women's 2x100m metre relay
All lanes filled with top sprinters chasing prizes in relay action. An impressive list of ranked athletes looking to impress for New Zealand Relay Teams.
9pm - Eyes on Victoria Men's B Mile
9.05pm - Steelform Roofing Group The One Mile Championship
Eric Speakman the 63rd Cooks Gardens sub 4 minute miler, with help from NZ Schools road race champion Mitchell Small from Christchurch will set the pace for the athletes with a field that contains a group of Japanese athletes and two promising Australians.