Athletes gather for transtasman clash

Photo: FIONA GOODALL

GO GIRL: Madison Young-Whenuaroa of Roskill South Athletics gives it her all in the 11-year-old girls 100m final.

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Young athletes from around the Auckland region narrowly missed out on reclaiming the Transtasman Challenge athletics title from arch rivals New South Wales at Waitakere Stadium on Sunday.

The annual event, which alternates between Auckland and Sydney, sees the best 10 and 11-year-olds from both areas clashing for the title.

Organising committee chairman Rodger Brickland says New South Wales got the better of the Aucklanders in the field events.

"We were very strong in the distance running this year."

Brickland says they were also disadvantaged by injuries sustained by athletes at the North Island Colgate Games held at Mt Smart Stadium last week.

While Auckland last won the title in 2008, he says the local kids are always going to be disadvantaged because New South Wales has a bigger population base to choose from.

"We do pretty well considering the size of the two areas."

He says there was a good spread of children from around the Auckland region, with some athletes from other parts of the upper North Island taking part.

One of the most successful athletes on the day was Maiya Christini from the Pt Chevalier Athletics Club, who won gold in the 11-year-old girls 800 metres and 1500m, along with the 400m relay race.

Next year the event returns to Sydney.

- © Fairfax NZ News