An Otago-wide road-running championship was a clean podium sweep for one Dunedin secondary school. The Otago 5km Road Championships 2026, which took place on August 16, was held by Athletics Otago and brought in runners from all over Otago to compete. Three King’s High School year 10 students — Caleb Dobier, with a time of 12min 36sec, George Solomon, 15.07, and Henry Simpson, 16.09 — claimed all three spots on the podium in the U14 race. Caleb said it was cool to have done it together and they would all be taking part next year, when they would again be aiming for a clean podium sweep. The race was held along the Otago Harbour and started by the Otago Yacht Club. Competitors ran towards St Leonards before turning around. Year 12 student Thomas Weatherall won the U18 section with a time of 16.13 and was third overall in the open category, which was made up entirely of adult competitors. Thomas was very close behind the winner’s time of 15.42. He said he was “pretty happy” with his result, but there was always room for improvement. “I guess I’ll take this as far as I can.” His goal was to make the national cross country team for New Zealand, which was possible if he made the top 10 runners in the country, Thomas said. At the moment he was 23rd. laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
