Athletics champs start today

The Air Rarotonga Athletics Championships start today and Ina Marsters, president of the athletics association, wants to see as many athletes as possible from all secondary schools.

“The more the merrier,” Marsters said. “This is where we select for the New Zealand secondary school championships that are taking place in Hastings this year, so we want to see as many kids competing as we can.”

Four athletes from Mangaia and nine from Aitutaki have arrived on Rarotonga and will be competing in track and field events at the two days of sports at the BCI stadium.

The junior athletes will be joined by Masters athletes, who Marsters says are training for an upcoming competition.

The event starts at 4pm at the BCI stadium on both Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday the 200m, 800m and 5000m events will be run. The hammer throw, high jump, javelin, long jump, discus and shot put will also take place.

Thursday will see athletes test themselves with the 100 metre sprint and the 1500m and 400 metre distances. Discus, high jump, long jump and javelin will be followed by the open men’s and women’s 4x100m relay.