Wright shows promise in trying conditions

Kiwi junior triathlon squad member James Wright was the first winner of the Wanganui Athletics Club's new outdoor season, winning his 2000m race by 15 seconds. PHOTO/FILE

You can safely predict that any Tuesday toward the end of October will be wet. This year proved to be no exception with a damp and cool evening for the first outdoor club night of the season.

Thankfully the rain eased by start time, but it certainly affected the attendance.

New Zealand junior triathlon squad member, James Wright, was the first winner of the new season, winning the popular 2000m road race which starts and finishes on the track. He headed off Jamie Gillespie by nearly 15 seconds, with Alice Bird winning the girls' section.

New Zealand Oceania representative, William Smart, made an impressive start in the sprints. He won his hand-timed 60m heat in a slick 6.9s and won his final against the wind with an electronic clocking of 7.49s. Teammate Jonty Nesbitt was 2nd with his twin brother Oscar in 3rd. These performances bode well for the Collegiate 4x100m team who defend their national title in December.

Only minutes before the 60m final, Smart ran an impressive 300m in 35.54s, which was just outside his personal best. This early season effort suggests he can complete the full lap in about 48 seconds as he prepares for championships ahead.

Briar Lourie looked to be coming back into form after a patchy first term with her win in the 300m. Although her time of 46.27s was below her best, she looked impressive especially on the final straight against a brisk head wind.

Luke Gemmell was the 600m winner, recording a personal best of 1:32.51s with Naomi Craig heading off Sarah McDonald as the leading girl over the 1 laps.

In the field, Jessica Brougham won the shot with 12.62m from visiting Feilding athlete Ariana Blackwood, while Callum Joblin-Alward was the boys' winner with 10.42m.

This weekend sees the first of the Regional League meetings at Inglewood and Wanganui will be represented by about 40 athletes. This is a little below the number at the first meeting last year in Palmerston North, but on this occasion the meeting falls at the start of Labour Weekend.

The league provides a good early season test for athletes, especially those heading for New Zealand Schools in December. The second of the meetings will be held in Wanganui on November 9, with the final round a fortnight later scheduled for Masterton, but may be moved to Wellington if Masterton's new photo-finish system is not ready.

It was decided at the meeting of parents on Tuesday that children's athletics will start on Tuesday, November 5, with the younger children (10 years and under) starting at 5.30pm.

The older children will be incorporated into the normal club programme, which will start at 6.45pm each week.

The full programme for each week and for the week ahead is published on Athletics Wanganui's website. The older intermediate-aged children are welcome to join next Tuesday with the programme already published, starting at 7pm.