Athletics: Weather set to affect champs

Weather and track conditions may play a major part in the National Cross-country Champs in Waikanae, Wellington, today.

Organisers are hopeful the track will hold up to an acceptable standard following two weeks of solid rain in the area, but with no significant rain-break likely over the weekend, conditions could affect the results.

Otago's best medal chances appear to be in the junior and masters grades.

A strong junior men's team headed by Campbell Garry and Tony Payne, who have both displayed impressive form in recent weeks, could be in contention for individual honours.

Payne, in particular, impressed with his victory in the Otago cross-country two weeks ago, while Garry, who finished runner-up to Aaron Pulford (Waikato) in the men's 16-and-under grade at last year's national championships, could figure in the medals along with Payne.

Supporting these two runners for the four-member team honours are Daniel Balchin, Lyndon Brown and Bryce Morgan, all of whom are capable of top-10 finishes.

Otago also has two very good junior women in the squad, in Romana Salis and Olivia Robb, who in their final year as junior athletes will be looking to improve on their placings from last year.

Otago's other chances are in the masters section, with Andrew Lonie and Michael Wakelin the top prospects for medals in the men's 35 grade. Ray Knox, a bronze medallist in the men's 45 grade last year, will be aiming for another top-three finish.

Sue Cuthbert, Marion Maxwell and Maria Sleeman proved a golden combination last year when, along with Julie Wilson, they won the teams gold in the masters women's section.

Cuthbert, who won the masters women's 35 grade, will contest the women's 40 grade this year and is looking at a golden run in this grade.

Maxwell, who won bronze in the women's 45 grade last year, will be looking for more of the same, if not better, as will Sleeman, who finished fourth in this grade last year.

Otago may be out-gunned in the senior men's event, but it would be a mistake to rule out Sam Kidd and James List as possible top 10 finishers.

The women's team has been bolstered with the late inclusion of Shireen Crumpton who, while no stranger to podium finishes, could well be suited to the conditions, thus setting up a possible teams medal with Rachel Kingsford, Kirsty Morris and Erin Whitla, who could all feature in the top half of the field.