A great run for secondary school cross-country event

The two-day event across 17-18 June saw the runners take part in the 49th New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships and the seventh annual Secondary Schools Regional Cross Country Team Relay Championships. Held at the Sport and Rugby Institute on the Manawatū campus, the event resulted in a successful weekend of competitive fun involving students from 132 schools.

The first day saw seven individual races take place on the cross-country course. The runners had to complete two different loops which took them through undulating farmlands, over logs and steeplechase hurdles, across flat sports fields and through a fair share of mud created by the early morning rain and high volume of foot traffic.

The Saturday event included a race each for the Year Nine boys and girls, the Junior boys and girls, the Senior boys and girls and a para-athlete race. The following day featured the event’s traditional relay races and included teams of three and six in the girls, boys and mixed races at year nine, Junior and Senior level, as well as a para-athlete event. Winning teams were determined based on the positions of all members.

Over 1500 spectators were on the scene to watch the racing and cheer on the runners. The crowds were treated to lots of entertainment, with several races featuring an outstanding athlete breaking away from the rest of the field and a range of sprint finishes.

Sport Advancement Manager Jacob Oram, who is also chairing the Local Organising Committee, says Massey was proud to host the event.

“Given the huge number of athletes and supporters, we knew hosting the 2023 Championships would be a massive task for Massey and the Local Organising Committee. However, with the amazing volunteer support from the wider Manawatū athletics community, notably Feilding Moa and Palmerston North Boys’ High School, we were able to put together a fantastic weekend of secondary school athletic competition. A special mention to our partners who helped fund the event, Palmerston North City Council, Sport Manawatū, Central Economic Development Agency and New Zealand Community Trust. A big thank you also to the Massey staff who worked through the weekend to help stage a very successful event.”

Results from the two-day event can be found here.