NATIONAL EVENTS
WHANGANUI
PAK’nSave Cooks International Classic, Incorporating NZ Mile Championships, Cooks Gardens – 24 January 2026
Almost weekly Sam Ruthe has had an accolade bestowed on his outstanding athletic record. His latest performance of running the mile in 3:53.83, in Whanganui on Saturday evening makes him the fastest 16 year old in the world eclipsing Australian Cameron Myers time of 3:55.44 set three years ago.
In another epic race with his training partner Sam Tanner, Ruthe led going into the final 120 metres. Tanner had to dig deep in the home straight to win in 3:53.36, making it sub four mile number 80 at Cooks Garden with Ruthe’s number 81.
It was Tanner’s fifth national mile title adding to the five national 1500m titles he holds. He first broke four minutes in 2019 at Cooks Gardens. Nick Willis holds the Stadium record of 3:52.75 set in 2006.
Ruthe further reduced his New Zealand under 19 and 20 mile records, beating his 3:58.35 set in March last year when he became at 15 the youngest in the world to break the four minute barrier. It also takes Ruthe to number seven on the New Zealand all-time list surpassing Sir Peter Snell‘s 3:54.04 which was then the world record set at Western Springs Auckland in November 1964.
Ruthe said it felt incredible.
“That was my goal coming into this race. I was trying to beat Tanner as well, but as soon as the gun started, I just wanted to run as fast as possible.
“To lead out some of this race was something I felt I just had to do. I’ll hopefully get my time down faster.”
Irish 1500m champion Laura Nicholson won the women’s championship mile in 4:43.75. World Universities Games representative Rosa Twyford in second in 4:47.01 collected the national women’s title. 14 year old Daisy Ruthe improved on her personal best to 4:53.71.
Racing on the back straight to take advantage of the tail wind Tiaan Whelpton scorched to victory in the 60 metres in 6.56 and the 100m 10.02 both wind assisted.
Whelpton said it was amazing racing in a bit of a wind tunnel.
“Once I was up and moving it felt like I was flying. I went ever so close to that 10 seconds mark.
“I know I’m in good form which is awesome. That’s the quickest I’ve ever run with the wind or not. I’ve been chasing a windy PB now for four years so it’s good to know I’m now in the best form of my life and I can’t wait for the rest of the season,” he said in an interview after the 100m.
Zoe Hobbs opened her season over the 100m in 11.09, having earlier in the meeting collected the 60m in 7.11, both with strong tail winds.
Jonathan Maples followed up a second in the 60m with a convincing win in the 400m hurdles in 52.06 just outside his best of 52.05 set in winning at the Cooks Classic last year.
Mia de Jager lowered her best 400m to 54.07. Heptathlete Maddie Wilson also ran a PB of 55.73 as well as winning the shot put and high jump.
Gustav Nielsen who holds the Danish national 400m record of 45.41, won the 400m in 46.37 from Hawera 17 year old Daniel Mandengu who clocked a PB 48.06.
Nick Palmer followed up his shot put of 19.60m in Hastings last week with another solid performance of 19.51m. Lauren Bruce was second in the shot put with 11.77m and over 70 metres in the hammer throw.
Results:
Men
60m: Tiaan Whelpton (COBU) 6.56 +4.5, Jonathan Maples (Whanganui) 6.81, Daniel Mandengu (Hawera) 6.84.
100m: Whelpton 10.02 +5.8, Cody Wilson (Mana) 10.54, Angus Lyver (COBU) 10.58.
200m: Troy Middleton (NHB) 21.49 +5.1, Noa King (Takapuna) 21.61, Wilson 21.65.
400m: Gustav Nielsen (Denmark) 46.37, Mandengu 48.06 PB, Kahurangi Cotterill (Waitakere) 48.16.
NZ mile championship: Sam Tanner (Tauranga) 3:53.36, Sam Ruthe (Tauranga) 3:53.83 PB (NZ under 19 and 20 record), George Wyllie (Tauranga) 4:05.19, Joe Martin (Wgtn Scott) 4:06.15.
NZ master’s mile championship: Eric Speakman (Victoria Univ) M35 4:27.32, Hiro Tanimoto (Wgtn Scott) M40 4:55.67 PB, Stephen Day (Wgtn Scott) M50 5:02.42 PB.
400m hurdles: Maples 52.06, Nat Kirk (Whanganui) 55.55, Ty Gonzales (Lynndale) 56.02 PB.
Shot put: Nick Palmer (Hastings) 19.51m, Blessing Sefo (Waitakere) 18.46m, Liam Ngchok-Wulf (Papakura) 17.57m. 6kg; Manaia Christiansen (Lake City) 14.80m. 5kg; Frazer Hazeldine (Lake City) 16.12m PB.
Hammer throw: Timothy Heyes (Australia) 68.20m, Damian Wells (Australia) 62.41m.
Long jump: Kieran Sinclair-Lomax (COBU) 7.25m +2.9 also 6.89m +1.6, Ollie Davis (Invercargill) 7.00m +1.9, Mandengu 6.92m +2.2.
Triple jump: Zhan Bowden (NHB) 14.25m +2.8 also 14.09m +1.9, Connor Gilliland (Invercargill) 13.59m +1.3, Mirza Hussain (Hawera) 13.44m +0.3.
High jump: Simioluwa Thomsen-AjayI (Australia) 2.07m, Connor Larsen (Australia) 2.07m, Hugo Jones (WHAC) 2.07m =PB, Zane Paterson (Australia) 2.07m.
Mixed 4 x 400m relay: New Zealand (J Maples, M de Jager, K Cotterill, M Masters) 3:28.79, NZSSAA 3:55.53.
Women
60m: Zoe Hobbs (Waitakere) 7.11 +6.3, Kaitlyn Black (Tauranga) 7.56, Samantha Lathwood (Takapuna) 7.57.
100m: Hobbs 11.09 +5.4, Black 11.78, Lathwood 12.04.
200m: Kendra Scally-Tu’i(Waitakere) 24.15 +2.4, Black 24.83, Maia Masters (Waitakere) 25.18.
400m: Mia de Jager (Hamilton) 54.07 PB, Maddie Wilson (COBU) 55.73 PB, Zita Meo (Hastings) 56.95.
NZ mile championship: Laura Nicholson (Ireland) 4:43.75, Rosa Twyford (Wairarapa) 4:47.01, Scarlett Robb (ACA) 4:49.29, Nina Chalmers (ACA) 4:51.57, Daisy Ruthe (Tauranga) 4:53.71 PB.
NZ master’s mile championship: Tamara Winkler (WHAC) W45 5:02.90, Sally Gibbs (Whanganui) W60 5:48.26, Vanessa Hodge W50 (Pal Nth) 6:16.95 PB.
400m hurdles: Tayler Trow (Pal Nth) 1:07.84.
Shot put: Wilson 11.97m, Lauren Bruce (Sth Cant) 11.77m, Leila-Jae Saifiti (Waitakere) 11.48m, Paige Fletcher (Papakura) 10.31m PB.
Hammer throw: Bruce 70.93m, Lauren Clark (Australia) 60.76m PB, Arielle Cannell (Australia) 53.15m, Fletcher 53.10m PB.
Long jump: Casey Day (Lake City) 5.48m +3.2 also 5.45m +1.6, Trow 5.43m +3.7 also 5.27m +1.6, Anna Gillett (COBU) 4.99m +2.1 also 4.83m +0.9.
High jump: Wilson 1.85m, Imogen Skelton (WHAC) 1.82m, de Jager 1.74m.
Para Athlete
Men
100m: Jaxon Woolley (Tauranga) T38 12.10 NWI, Finn Tregurtha-Nairn (Timaru) T38 12.24, Noa Bak-Pedersen (Denmark) T37 13.36.
400m: Tregurtha-Nairn 58.26 PB, Woolley 1:00.65 PB, Daniel Kits (Te Awamutu) T37 1:10.06.
Mile: Kits 6:12.98.
Shot put: Stephen Hills (Egmont) F34 5.93m.
Long jump: Tregurtha-Nairn 5.19m +4.8.
Women
100m: Amy Ellis (Egmont) T13 14.90 +5.1, Sasha Al-Dazhani (Egmont) T38 15.56, Kate Danaher (NHB) T37 15.62.
200m: Ellis 31.07 +2.6, Danaher 33.58, Al-Dazhani 33.81.
400m: Michelle Stokes (Egmont) T20 1:29.34.
Shot put: Tupou Neiufi (Waitakere) F37 8.47m PB, Eden Fairweather (Taraanki) F20 5.52m PB.
Long jump: Paddy Walsh (Riverhead) F64 4.59m +3.3 also 4.47m +1.6.
HAWERA
Jumps to Music, Hicks Park – 21 January 2026
Results:
Men
Long jump: Daniel Mandengu (Hawera) 7.04m +1.5 adding 2cm to PB. Elliot Wills (Hawera) 2023 national U/16 TJ champ, 6.67m +0.4 adding 23cm to PB, Kieran Sinclair-Lomax (COBU) 6.65m +1.5, Max Attwell (COBU) five times national decathlon champion, 6.50m +0.8.
High jump: Tia Wynyard (COBU) 2nd NZ short track champs HJ, 2.04m, Rafe Couillault (Papakura) NZ short track HJ champ, 2.00m, Dale Arbuckle (Marlborough) 1.91m.
Women
Long jump: Elizabeth Cudby (Hawera) 5.24m +2.6, also 4.97m +1.8.
High jump: Jessica Hendren (COBU) 2nd NZ short track champs HJ, 1.72, Anna Gillett (COBU) 1.67m, Amber Trow (Palmerston North) 2nd national U/20 HJ 2024, 2025, 1.62m, Olivia Norris-Spring (Palmerston North) 2024 national U/16 HJ champ, 1.62m.
NELSON
South Island Masters Championships, Saxton Field Athletics Oval – 23/25 January 2026
Tasman Master Remy Le Brun (M35) from Blenheim, was in impressive form on the track breaking three South Island Championship records in the 60m (7.27), 100m (11.41 +0.1) and 200m (23.89) with improvements on his own records in both the 60m and 200m.
Canterbury’s Joden Pratten (M40) was impressive in the throws, improving on his SI Championship records in the Throws Pentathlon with 2831 points (an increase of 398 points) and the discus with 42.15m (an increase of 4.86m). He also won the 7.26kg hammer with a PB 33.10m. Otago’s Alison Newall demonstrated her versatility in establishing new SI Championship records in the W65 Outdoor Pentathlon with 2182 points (an improvement of 540 points) and 1500m track walk with 10:10.28 (an improvement off 68.8s).
Southland’s eighty year old Evan MacIntosh set SI best performances in the 2000m steeplechase with 13:53.42 and 932 points in the Outdoor Pentathlon. Tasman’s Peter Hague (M75) set best performances in both the 1500m (9:52.32) and 5000m (34:13.64) track walks.
Four other Tasman athletes achieved SI Championship records: Tegan Goodman (M35) in his debut at the champs with 9:35.00 in the 3000m; Liezel De Wet (W50) in the triple jump with 8.42m; John Rawcliffe (M65) in 60m with 8.96 and Bill Dickenson (M70) in the 400m (1.11.11).
In the Outdoor Pentathlon, Canterbury’s Victor Lusis achieved a SI Championship record with 2291 points (an increase of 596 points).
In the Throws Pentathlon, Canterbury multi-event athletes Anna Lynch (W40) achieved a SI Championship record of 2612 points and John McManus (M55) a best performance of 2439 points and Otago’s Fiona Harvey improved her W65 SI Championship to 2917 points (an increase of 205 points). Lynch also threw the 4kg hammer 34.87m. Otago master Simon Moale (M50) increased his SI Championship record in the shot put to 13.11m.
REGIONAL RESULTS
HAMILTON
Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty Meeting, Porritt Stadium – 24 January 2026
Results
Men
100m: George Kozlov (NHB) 11.88 +3.6, Ciaran Whaley (Hamilton) 11.55, Lachlan Maunder (Hamilton) 12.05.
200m: Adam De Souza (Tauranga) 23.99 +4.2, Louie Gash (Tauranga) 24.27, Maunder 24.85.
400m: Matthew Eady (ACA) 54.83, Maunder 57.74 PB, Daniel Harrison (Te Awamutu) 58.86 PB
800m: Ethan Mora (ACA) 2:00.80, Max Wilkins (ACA) 2:01.98, Jack Stirling (Hamilton) 2:02.52.
5000m: Lane Madsen (Cambridge) 16:02.43 PB, Jack Murray (Hamilton) 16:08.44, Jake Wilkinson (ACA) 16:19.69 PB.
110m hurdles: Tom Moloney (ACA) 16.02 +4.0.
Hammer throw: Kevin Bradley (Hamilton) 31.10m.
Women
100m: Celine Pearn (Waitakere) 12.17 +5.4, Gia Moore (Fairfield) 12.84, Lucy Steele (Hamilton) 13.10.
200m: Esme Reid (ACA) 26.01 +0.7, Hope Bowler (Hamilton) 27.03, Olivia Stone (Hamilton) 27.08 +4.7.
400m: Reid 58.59, Emily Cowan (NHB) 1:00.65 PB, Bowler 1:01.49.
800m: Annie Downing (Hamilton) 2:17.59, Anna Phillipps (Hamilton) 2:26.67, Mackenzie Hetherington (Tauranga) 2:27.34.
100m hurdles: .762 Jamie Fell (Hamilton) 14.99 +3.7. .838 Pearn 14.27 +3.5, Alessandra MacDonald (Hamilton) 14.46, Steele 16.40.
Long jump: Fell 5.37m +1.6.
Triple jump: Victoria Burgess (Hamilton) 10.53m +6.7, Stone 10.13m +5.9.
CHRISTCHURCH
Athletics Canterbury Meeting #7, Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub – 24 January 2026
Results
Men
60m: Ethan Hole (Sth Cant) 7.19 +2.1, Sam Cartwright (COBU) 7.25, Jack Henry (COBU) 7.27.
100m: Kevin Syriak (Univ Cant) 10.93 +3.5, Hole 11.08, Harry Williamson (COBU) 11.15.
400m: Williamson 50.18 PB, Joel Agnew (Phoenix) 50.33, Jacob Ridder (Port Hills) 52.34.
800m: Alexander McCorkindale (Chch Avon) 1:59.48, George Guerin (Timaru) 1:59.61, Ridder 2:03.24.
1500m: Cameron Clark (Whippets) 4:04.50, Gareth Harcombe (Whippets) 4:08.58, Alex Kelliher (Chch Avon) 4:11.72.
2000m Steeplechase U/18 Canterbury Championship: Daniel Wordsworth (Chch Avon) 6:55.37, Ryan Gillum (Egmont) 7:03.77, Hosea Wood (Chch Avon) 7:19.59.
3000m Steeplechase, Canterbury Championship: Tram O’Callaghan (Chch Avon) 10:20.06 PB.
Discus throw: Jack Henry (COBU) 34.21m. 1.5kg; Jack Boyd (Nth Cant) 42.57m, Toby Orr (Phoenix) 41.93m, George Gainsford (Chch BHS) 39.91m PB.
Hammer throw: 5kg; Toby Orr (Phoenix) 46.90m, George Gainsford (Chch BHS) 45.66m, Malachi Rattray (Papanui Toc H) 41.30m PB.
Long jump: Jamie Puha (Papanui Toc H) 6.29m +2.5.
High jump: Jack Brown (Papanui Toc H) 1.75m.
Pole vault: Alfie Pask (Papanui Toc H) 3.40m, Otto Church (Christ’s College) 3.30m.
Women
60m: Jody McCarthy-Dempsey (COBU) 8.28 +2.8, Jade Majendie (Phoenix) 8.38, Freya Ferro (Hill City) 8.51.
400m: Julia Burnham (COBU) 58.16, Holly Gray (COBU) 59.07.
800m: Brynne Gordon (Port Hills) 2:17.07, Ariana Candy (Univ Cant) 2:18.55, Liberty Mcintyre-reet (Whippets) 2:23.10.
1500m: Bridie Restieaux (Whippets) 4:43.94, Caitlin Bassett (Whippets) 4:48.90, Lucy Jurke (Chch Avon) 4:56.54.
2000m Steeplechase U/18 Canterbury Championship: Monica Ye (Chch Avon) 10:19.72.
3000m Steeplechase, Canterbury Championship: Mairi Law (Chch Avon) 12:13.32.
Discus throw: Melenaite Havea (Lions) 41.12m PB, Mya Phillips (Nth Cant) 37.64m PB, Annabelle Smallman (Papanui Toc H) 37.22m.
Hammer throw: 3kg; Isla McQueen (Hill City) 39.53m, Smallman 35.63m, Emma Grenfell (COBU) 34.78m.
Long jump: McCarthy-Dempsey 5.06m +5.1, Lilla Faivre (Phoenix) 5.05m +2.3, Rebecca Peterson (Univ Cant) 5.04m +5.2.
Triple jump: Peterson 10.55m +1.5, Faivre 10.13m +1.9.
Pole vault: Pera Gordon (Port Hills) 3.00m.
Para Athlete: Zack Lappin F37 (COBU) DT 31.69m.
INVERCARGILL
Athletics Southland Combined Events Championships, Surrey Park – 24/25 January 2026
Zoe Muir (Wyndham) U/18 heptathlon 3750 points PB (100m H 18.3 +1.7, HJ 1.31m, SP 11.37m PB, 200m 28.1 +0.8, LJ 4.76m +0.7, JT 29.46m, 800m 2:28.4).
Hunter Flowers 400m 56.9. Will Brown LJ 6.26m +1.8.
INTERNATIONAL RESULTS
USA INDOORS
Bill Bergan Classic, Lied Recreation Centre, Ames IA, 16 January: Harrison McGregor SP 16.05m PB (2).
Hoosier Horsepower Classic, Indianapolis IN, 17 January: Kate Hallie SP 13.98m PB (3).
UW Preview, Dempsey Indoor, Seattle WA, 17 January: Jeff Lautenslager mile 4:06.46 (3RB). Amelie Fairclough 400m 57.26 (1RG).
PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic, Norton Healthcare SLC, Louisville KY, 23 January: Hamish Murray mile 4:09.30 (1). Kaia Tupu-South SP 16.46m (1).
Crossroads of America Invitational, Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Farm Pavillion, Indianapolis IN, 24 January: Kate Hallie SP 13.59m (6).
Hokie Invitational, Rector Fieldhouse, Blacksburg VA, 23/24 January: Daniel Hayes 1000m 2:28.33 (4), mile 4:13.54 (4). Suzannah Kennelly SP 14.00m PB (7).
Dr Sander Scorcher/Columbia Challenge, Armory Centre, New York NY, 23/24 January: Charlie Hazlett 5000m 13:59.75 PB (2), Matt Hill 14:23.29 (7). Chanel Muir mile 4:01.45 PB (2), Callum Murray 4:11.86 PB (11RB). Sofia Lumbreras 800m 2:13.80 (3RC). Neve Moulai 3000m 9:37.34 (1RB). Georgia-Rose Dawson mile 5:06.51 (3).
Penn Elite, Jane and David Ott Centre, Philadelphia PA, 24 January: James Mcleay 800m 1:54.07 (2RD), mile 4:11.54 (7RB). MacCallum Rowe mile 4:06.42 (1RC). Peyton Leigh 3000m 9:43.99 (13).
Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White, University Track Centre, Boston MA, 24 January: Thomas Cowan 500m 1:03.03 (1). Samantha Korck 800m 2:11.26 PB (4RB). Samantha Lascelles 1000m 2:45.86 PB (2).
Notre Dame Invitational, Loftus Centre, Notre Dame IN, 24 January: Bella Earl 3000m 9:52.95 (3).
Jim Emmeriach Alumni Meet, Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, Brookings SD, 24 January: Nadia Evans 60m 7.87 (3H4), 200m 25.05 (3RB).
Ted Nelson Invitational, Murray Fasken ’38 Indoor Track, College Station TX, 24 January: Alice Taylor LJ 5.44m (12).
LUXEMBOURG INDOORS
CMCM Meeting, Coque Sport Centre, Luxembourg LUK, 18 January Olivia McTaggart PV 4.45m (2).
FRANCE INDOORS
Starperche-Perche Elite Tour, Palais des Sports, Bordeaux, 24 January: Imogen Ayris PV 4.58m (2).
GREAT BRITAIN
London Indoor Games, Lee Valley Centre, London, 18 January: Marius Ball 60m 7.13 (1).
AUSTRALIA
AVSL Round 7A, Meadowglen Stadium, Melbourne, 17 January: Mariah Ririnui LJ 5.97m +3.4 also 5.82m 0.0 (1).
VMC Meet #3, Tom Kelly Athletics Track, Doncaster, Melbourne, 20 January: Kosta Mills 800m 1:54.30 (5).
Strive Program, WA Athletics Stadium, Perth, 24 January: Nick Southgate PV 4.95m (1).
World Athletics Race Walking Tour Silver, AIS Track and Field, Bruce Canberra, 26 January: Jonah Cropp 10,000m RW 43:14.69 PB (10).
2026 International Summer Down Under Wheelchair Racing Series, AIS Athletics Track, Canberra, 21/23 January:
Sarah James of Canterbury set New Zealand Para Athlete T53 records in all five track events she competed in, the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m.
Results:
Jaden Movold T54 100m semi 17.92 -3.5 (3H2) q, 400m prelim 54.53 (2H2), 800m 1:48.90 (5), 1500m prelim 3:40.58 (4H1) q, final 3:45.05 (2), 5000m 12:36.67 (3).
Sarah James T53 100m prelim 18.51 +0.4 (4H1) q, semi 19.37 -1.4 (5S2) Q, final 18.35 +0.6 (4) NZ record, 200m 32.66 +0.8 (3) NZ record, 400m prelim 1:05.24 (2H2) q, final 1:04.31 (5) NZ record, 800m 2:19.74 (2) q, final 2:12.39 (5) NZ record, 1500m 4:37.60 (5H1) q NZ record, final 4:47.34 (7).
Gabby Wright T54 100m prelim 20.23 +0.4 (7H1) q, semi 20.74 -1.4 (7S2) Q, final 19.70 +0.6 (7) NZ record, 200m 35.32 (4), 400m prelim 1:09.80 (6H1) q, final 1:09.59 (8), 800m 2:17.41 (7), 1500m prelim 5:04.27 (6H1) q.
Milly Marshall-Kirkwood F57 3kg SP 5.72m (4). DT 19.68m (4).
ROAD AND TRAIL RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY
AUCKLAND
Good George 5km, North Wharf, Wynyard Quarter, 20 January: Nick Holtum 17:46, Owen Mitchell 17:51, Tom Hessell 18:13. Brigid Du Burgess 21:28.
Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 21 January: Cam Gordon 19:05, Andrew Harvey 21:27, Andrew Parsons 21:52.
Y Marathon 10km, Auckland Domain, 22 January: Callum Walsh 39:41, Leon Dickison 40:37.
HAMILTON
The Cook 5km, Hamilton East, 20 January: Jordan Metcalf 19:53, Reece Mildon 19:54, Jordan Burley 20:51.