Athletics: Promising talent

It might not sound much, but the 19th place by Campbell Garry (John McGlashan College) at the world secondary schools cross-country championships late last month was an outstanding effort.

New Zealand runners have had lean pickings at world championships since 1979 and it was encouraging to see the performance of the New Zealand secondary schools team.

Garry (17), one of the youngest members of the New Zealand team, was the second to finish and New Zealand was sixth in the teams race.

Aaron Pulford (Hauraki Plains College) was 17th in the 5000m race, in 15min 04sec, and Garry was timed at 15min 07sec in the field of more 100.

The race was won by Kane Grimster (Australia) in 14min 33sec from Anes Traikia (Algeria) 14min 33sec and Emin Tan Muhammed (Turkey) 14min 36sec.

The teams race was won by Algeria (40 points) and followed by Spain (43) and Australia (53).