A chilly four degrees and the odd shower greeted students to the Dunstan zone athletics sports in Alexandra yesterday.

The event, hosted at Molyneux Park, attracted hundreds of students from the nine Dunstan zone primary schools who ran, jumped and threw as they competed for a place in the upcoming inter zone athletics.

Central Otago Primary School Sports Association Dunstan zone representative and The Terrace School (TTS) teacher Mike Dalgliesh said they were using a new electronic system for sprint timing for the first time this year.

“I want to see lots of big smiles out there.

“Hopefully the electronics will last all day . . . and this damp wet grass will dry out.”

Mike thanked staff and parents who helped on the day timekeeping, measuring throws and jumps and marshalling.

Omakau School’s eight year old Grace Dougherty in shot put.

Millers Flat’s Lucy McCorkindale competes in the girl's year five long jump. 

Clyde School students Gus Goodfellow, Chase Brabant and Marco Robb (all aged nine) enjoyed the day out of the classroom.

Watch the year four boys sprint heat two.  

Alexandra Primary School’s Zoe Reinds attempts 149cm in high jump. She won the event clearing 141cm. 

The sports kicked off at 10.15am when temperatures had climbed to nine degrees, and finished up at about 4pm. 

Youngsters took part in seven events: sprints, 800M, hurdles, high jump, long jump, discus, and shot put, with relays rounding out the day at 3pm.

Schools attending were Alexandra Primary School, Clyde School, Cromwell Primary, Goldfields Primary School, Millers Flat, Omakau School, Poolburn School, St Gerard’s School, The Terrace School and Roxburgh Area School.

The Terrace School (TTS) parent teacher association ran a fundraising barbecue selling sausages, burgers and drinks. Mr Whippy and Rob’s daily grind coffee vans kept supporters fuelled throughout the day. 

The top qualifiers for each event from Dunstan, Upper Clutha and Wakatipu zone competitions will pit their skills against others in their year group (years five to eight) at the CO zones on March 27, also in Alexandra.

PHOTOS/ VIDEO: The Central App