Christchurch’s International Track Meet lands as the penultimate stop on the Summer Circuit this Saturday! Bringing top kiwi and international talent to the garden city and promising another instalment of energetic, family-friendly track and field action. With Track Stars and the New Zealand Track & Field Championships now just two weeks away, athletes will be sharpening their final preparations across a stacked ITM programme.
Top Kiwi athletes headline the meet, including Tom Walsh, Nick Palmer, Anna Grimaldi, Lisa Adams, Tiaan Whelpton and more!
In 2026, we’re welcoming TVNZ to the Summer Circuit as our official broadcast partner, bringing all 5 stops of the Summer Circuit to you live and for free!
The 2026 International Track Meet will be live on TVNZ+ from 4:30 PM on 21 February.
The 2026 International Track Meet hosts the New Zealand 3000m Championships. The men’s race brings together a strong, startling lineup headlined by recent World Cross Country representative William Little, who opens his track season in 2026 with the championship race. Little holds a 7:57.40 best over the distance, from the 2025 edition, where he claimed the bronze medal. He’ll be looking to add another national title to his name this Saturday in Christchurch. He’s joined by Ben Otis with an 8:09.25 best, and Toby Tasker, who enters off the back of a dominant victory over the 3000m Steeple Chase at the Porritt Classic in Hamilton. Depth continues through the field with Liam Chesney, Darian Sorouri, Christopher Dryden, and Cameron Clark all lining up for the podium.
The women’s national title chase features another World Cross Country representative in Tillie Hollyer, also making her season debut after running 9:22.77 last year. The Reeves sisters, Tamara and Lahana, sit next in line based on recent form, while Rosa Twyford enters with a PB off the pace on paper, but the form this season to see her right in contention for the top spot!
The throws spotlight returns to Christchurch with local favourite Tom Walsh, New Zealand’s number-one all-time, headlining the shot circle. He’ll be joined by Nick Palmer, who crossed 20 metres again at the Porritt Classic last week and remains New Zealand’s third all-time athlete in the event.
The women’s 200m is one of the deepest fields of the meet. National 200m record holder Rosie Elliott returns to the same meet where she rewrote the books in 2023. The two-time world championships representative is making a low-key return to competition after an injury-hampered last season. Brooke Somerfield, Briana Stephenson, and Mia De Jager all sit inside 23.90 on season bests, with Stephenson arriving off a win at the Porritt Classic over Somerfield. While Jordyn Blake, Samantha Lathwood, and Maddie Wilson add further sub‑25 capability.
Paralympic champion Anna Grimaldi (T47) lines up with a 24.85 best, and T53 athlete Sarah James races over 200m after representing New Zealand at the World Para Athletics Championships.
A world‑class Para throwing lineup features Lisa Adams, the world champion and world record holder in her classification. She’ll be joined by world Para medallist Holly Robinson and emerging thrower Lauren Blackmore, ensuring strong competition across multiple classifications.
New Zealand resident record holder Tiaan Whelpton headlines the men’s dash, equalling his 10.10 best in Auckland two weeks ago. The chase pack includes national contenders Shay Veitch, Tommy Te Puni, and Lex Revell‑Lewis, all of whom have been consistently under 10.40 this season. With conditions often delivering fast times at ITM, this could be one of the meet’s standout races.
High jump momentum is strong this month, with Imogen Skelton arriving off a PB 1.88m at Porritt and brushing close to the Commonwealth Games B‑standard of 1.90m. Maddie Wilson, who has cleared 1.87m, is her closest challenger, setting up a compelling head‑to‑head as both athletes look to build towards Track Stars and Nationals.
Australian visitor Taryn Gollshewsky (62.36m) leads the discus field, while New Zealand’s Tatiana Kaumoana continues her consistent season after a 57.59m best. Rising thrower Melelosaline Lose adds excitement to the young talent building towards senior ranks.
Japanese athlete Yuto Adachi brings international quality with a 16.16m best, facing New Zealanders Matt Walsh and Ryan Young, both in the mid‑14m range and pushing for season breakthroughs.
The sprint hurdles see Japan’s Miho Suzuki enter as favourite with a 13.07 best, while New Zealand’s Briana Stephenson doubles back from the 200m with strong 100m hurdles form at 13.30.
Fans can watch Canterbury’s pinnacle track and field meeting this Saturday at Nga Puna Wai from 1 PM. Tickets are available online from internationaltrackmeet.co.nz.
All of the action can be watched live from home on TVNZ+, live from 1:30 PM.
View the International Track Meet Programme here.
View the International Track Meet live results here.