Athletics Whangarei

🏃‍♀️ GOOD LUCK AIMS GAMES 2026! 🏃‍♂️

Wishing all our club athletes the very best as they compete at the AIMS Games 2026 in Cross Country and Orienteering this week!

You’ve trained hard, shown great spirit, and now it’s time to give it everything out on the course.

Run strong, navigate smart, and most of all — enjoy every moment representing your school! ❤️💪

SPRING NEWSLETTER 1

Saturday’s Harriers run was for the brave, the bold, and the mildly ridiculous. The rain hammered down, the wind cut through us, and yet once we hit the course it was pure fun — puddles, rivulets, a roaring river, and a waterfall putting on a show.Massive thanks to Nigel for timing and tea, Max for collecting the course gear, and Brian for engineering a tent‑over‑BBQ‑table masterpiece for afternoon tea.

Special mention to Ivan, who appeared in a frogman’s suit at random points on the course and eventually found the finish line. We’re still not sure where he started.

🏃‍♂️ This Weekend’s Run

This is a new run and apparently very nice, with a choice of laps and lovely harbour view

📅 Saturday, September 5th

📍 Where:
Head to not‑quite‑the‑end of Port Road, turn right into Millbank Drive, then left into Windward Avenue and go right to the end.
It’s a gravel track and the club flag will be up.

⏰ Time: 1:45 pm for a 2 pm start

💬 Why:
Because it’s fun, social, and good for your wellbeing!

🍰 What:
Please bring a plate for afternoon tea.

🏃‍♀️🌿 Handicap Series Finale & This Saturday's Club Run 🌿🏃‍♂️

Last weekend saw the final event of our Handicap Series on a stunning scenic course. The birdlife along the Waimahanga was incredible, with tūī everywhere putting on quite a show!

A huge thank you to Max for all the time and effort that goes into calculating the handicap times throughout the series. It is greatly appreciated. 👏

📍 This Saturday's Club Run

Whangārei Falls Car Park, Boundary Road, Tikipunga 🕐 Meet at 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start

Parking in the main car park can be limited, but there is plenty of parking available along Boundary Road.

Course Options:
✅ 2.2km Kids course (or adults if they wish) - safe, fully on concrete pathway
✅ 3.0km Adult short course - track, paddock and road, suitable for ages 12+
✅ 4.5km Adult medium course - track, paddock and road
✅ 6.0km Adult long course - track, paddock and road

Choose one distance or mix it up!

Thanks to Gill Michel for organising what promises to be another great afternoon.

🚨 MARSHALS NEEDED 🚨

We are still short three marshals and one reserve for the Whangārei Run/Walk on 13 September.

This is our club's major fundraiser, and we'd really appreciate your help. If you, a family member, or a friend can spare a morning (or less), please get in touch:

📞 021 0242 9890 or 021 0279 6487
📧 [email protected]

Please help if you can.

👕 UNIFORM UPDATE

The votes are in!

The committee has approved the new club uniform design, featuring a red and white front with a plain red back. We're also exploring training jackets.

Uniform orders will be opening soon, with a substantial discount available on all items ordered before 6 October. Watch this space for more details!

📅 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

We all love an AGM... don't we? 😄

Come along, have your say, and help shape the future of Athletics Whangārei. Your input is valued.

Wednesday 9 September 2026
🕡 6.30pm
📍 Athletics Whangārei Clubrooms
🥪 Followed by a light supper

Apologies can be sent to: 📧 [email protected] 📱 027 633 4777

See you Saturday! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Be great to have as many teams as we can competing in this event from the club.

If you want to join an Athletics Whangarei relay team for this event or you have put a team together please email Brian Barach: [email protected]

The teams are:
open men
open women
mixed open
under 15 mixed
there are no masters teams or walking teams

The Northland Road Relays, hosted by Dargaville Athletics and held along the river stop banks in Ruawai, is set to be the biggest team race in the region, with Northland Championship medals up for grabs!
Teams will run an out-and-back course, passing the relay baton as they push themselves to the finish line. It’s all about teamwork, speed, and representing your club in a championship event.

Sunday 20th September
10am start
Register here: https://anrr26da.events.mygameday.app
Having trouble registering? Reach out for our helpful guide.

☀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Summer Track & Field Season is Almost Here! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️☀️

The countdown is on! After a winter of training, racing, and preparation, Athletics Whangārei is gearing up for an action-packed 2026 Summer Season featuring club nights, mile races, championship events, road racing, and the return of the Colgate Games to Whangārei!

Whether you're chasing PBs, aiming for national titles, or simply looking forward to being back on the track with friends, there's something for everyone this season.

🔥 Mark these key dates in your calendar:

📍 Athletics Whangārei Summer Season Opens
• Tuesday 6 October – Club Night #1

🏃 New Evening Mile Series in conjunction with Hātea Run (details to come)
• Wednesday 7 October – Race 1
• Wednesday 14 October – Race 2
• Wednesday 21 October – Race 3
• Wednesday 28 October – Race 4
• Wednesday 4 November – Race 5

🏅 Major Events
• Saturday 31 October - Saturday Summer Track Series 1 (Whangarei)
• Sunday 1 November – Auckland Marathon
• Saturday 21 November - Saturday Summer Track Series 2
• 27-29 November – North Island Masters Track & Field Championships (Hamilton)
• 5 December – New Zealand 5km Championships (Nelson)
• 11-13 December – NZ Secondary Schools Track & Field & Road Relay Championships (Whanganui)

🌟 Colgate Games 2027
• 8-10 January – North Island Colgate Games (Whangārei)
• 15-17 January – South Island Colgate Games (Invercargill)

From our youngest athletes taking their first steps onto the track through to our masters athletes competing at championship level, it's shaping up to be a fantastic season.

Who's excited to hear the starter's gun and feel the buzz of club nights again? 🙌

💙💛 Bring on Summer Season 2026!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Athletics Whangārei at the Auckland City Athletics Pairs Race! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

On 8 August, we had two Masters Women's teams competing in the annual Auckland City Athletics Club Pairs Race at Cornwall Park.

This unique and always-fun event sees teams of two start together before heading off in opposite directions around a challenging 3km loop. The teammates meet out on the course (yes, including tackling the infamous Hospital Hill! 😅), exchange their baton, and then retrace their steps back to the finish. Once both runners have returned, they cross the finish line together as a team.

It's a fantastic event that combines teamwork, strategy, fitness, and, most importantly, plenty of laughs along the way!

We were also excited to have Louis Wong competing in the Under 10-16 event as part of an Auckland City Athletics team alongside his brother and ex-club member Giacomo Wong. Well done, Louis! 👏

A great day of running, camaraderie, and fun for everyone involved. Thanks to Auckland City Athletics Club for another memorable event!

Reminder Harriers
Sat 22 August 1.45pm Onerahi Beach Road by Playground

Congratulations to the club members who placed in the Northland Road Race Champs hosted by Hātea Run. Was a very well organised event and we look forward to more like this for our Northland runners and walkers.

💙 Anne Goulter Memorial Throws Meet 💙

Join North Harbour Bays Athletics on Saturday 22 August at the Millennium Institute Main Field as we come together to compete, volunteer, and celebrate the memory of Anne Goulter, a valued member of our athletics community.

This event is open to:
✅ Registered athletes
✅ Non-registered athletes
✅ Para-athletes
✅ Junior athletes
✅ Masters athletes

Club and school singlets are encouraged.
📍 Venue: Millennium Institute Main Field
🏟️ Warm-up field available at the lower field throws area
💲 Entry: $7.00 per athlete (entries on the day)

Programme
🕤 9:30am - Entries and equipment check open
🥎 10:00am • Shot Put Men (all grades) • Discus Women (all grades)
🥎 11:15am • Shot Put Women (all grades) • Discus Men (all grades)
🔨 12:30pm • Hammer Men & Women (all grades)

☕ We'd love you to stay for a cuppa after the event. If you're able, please bring a plate to share.

🏅 Presentations will be held shortly after the final event.

We will also need helpers throughout the day, so if you can lend a hand and show your support, it would be greatly appreciated.

Whether you're competing, officiating, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, we'd love to see as many people there as possible as we honour Annie's contribution to our sport.

For more information: 🔗

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Calling All Athletics Whāngarei Secondary School Athletes! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

The NZ Secondary Schools Track & Field and Road Race Championships are heading to Whanganui from 11-13 December 2026, bringing together the country's best secondary school athletes for three days of top-level competition at the iconic Cooks Gardens.

Whether you're a sprinter, distance runner, hurdler, jumper, thrower, or road racer, this is your chance to represent your school on the national stage and test yourself against the best athletes from around New Zealand.

📍 When: Friday 11 December to Sunday 13 December
📍 Where: Cooks Gardens, Whanganui
🏃 Road Race: Whanganui Collegiate School

Athletics Whangārei athletes and all Northland secondary school athletes: If you're interested in competing, now is the time to talk with your school's Sports Coordinator or Sports Department. Entries must be made through your school, so don't leave it until the last minute.

✅ Entry portal opens: 12 October
✅ Entries close: 23 November

This championship has been the launching pad for many of New Zealand's top athletes, and it's a fantastic opportunity to experience the excitement of a national championship while representing your school and region. Qualifying standards will be advised in due course. Follow New Zealand Secondary Schools Athletics Association to be kept informed or see their website:

https://nzssaa.org.nz/Information/nztf2026

Get in touch with your school's sports staff now and start planning for Whanganui!