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Athletics: About 1000 competitors to take part

A record number of entries have been received for the South Island Colgate Games in Dunedin next weekend.

About 1000 competitors aged from 7 to 14 have combined for more than 4000 entries in the 37th annual games, which will be held at the Caledonian Ground.

With 252 athletes from Otago clubs signed up to compete, including 89 from Hill City-University, about a quarter of all participants are from the region.

Ariki (32) also has a strong contingent, while Taieri (28) and Caversham (27) are next in line.

The North Island games, being held in Wellington this weekend, have also attracted a lot of entries, meaning more than 8700 entries have been received across the two events.

Commonwealth Games shot put silver medallist Tom Walsh, the ambassador for the games, said it was a ''fantastic'' opportunity for aspiring athletes.

''I remember when I went to the Colgate Games when I was younger. It was a really big deal, as it is the biggest athletics competition around as a child. It inspired me to train harder and push myself all the way.''

Colgate New Zealand general manager John Garside said the event was about giving thousands of young, aspiring athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Up for grabs for outstanding performing athletes is the Nick Willis Scholarship, which gives recipients money for sports gear, coaching, travel and other resources to help them in athletics.

The South Island games start next Friday and runs until Sunday. Dunedin last hosted the games in 2011.

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