Alexandra’s Molyneux Park was teeming with 500 energetic young athletes on Friday (March 31) for the Central Otago Athletics Championships. 

The top qualifiers for each event came from Dunstan, Upper Clutha and Wakatipu zone competitions to pit their skills against others in their year group (years five - eight).

Central Otago Primary School Sports Association Dunstan zone representative and The Terrace School (TTS) teacher Mike Dalgliesh said getting kids outside doing something fun and active was great.

“Some of the kids here haven’t been to COs (Central Otago zones) before. It's a sense of normality running this day again.”

Alexandra Primary School student Jackson Conway competed in year six discus with mum Liz cheering him on

The inter-zone event has not been held since 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions so students, teachers and supporters were pleased to be back at the track on a beautiful autumn day. 

Mike thanked the 20-30 staff who helped on the day, timekeeping and marshalling, along with St Johns for first aid and TTS Parent Teacher Association which provided a barbecue. 

TTS year seven and eight girls having fun in the hurdles: Elise (11), Maddy (11), Mai (12), Alice (12), and Lily (13)

Youngsters took part in seven events: sprints, 800M, hurdles, high jump, long jump, discus, and shot put, with relays rounding out the day at 2.45pm.

Cromwell College’s Jimmy (11) and Kiryn (11) had a furry supporter watching their long jump 

It was a chilly start with a light morning frost and temperatures of approximately 4’C at 10am, but the mercury climbed to 18’C by late afternoon. 

Arrowtown School’s 11-year-old Bailey had great elevation in her hurdles heat

Double the fun, Omakau School’s Charlotte and Meg Kirk took the track together (year seven)

Sport Central regional coordinator Jo Knight gave the year seven boys high jump briefing

Millers Flat students Lucy (9), Hannah (11) and Sari (12) celebrated completing their events with a well earned sausage 

All the schools in Dunstan and neighbouring zones sent athletes. 

They all enjoyed stepping up to the next level of competition on the day. Skillful Fosbury flops and throws were on show, along with fine footwork and great sportsmanship.

Watch a short clip from the day here.

PHOTOS: The Central App