The Whakatāne Athletic and Harrier Club’s children’s section held its first measured night of the season on Tuesday, October 27. Seventy athletes aged 5 to 14 took part in sprints, middle distance, jumps and throws.

The evening opened with the 800 metres for the 9-to 14-year-olds.

Azelle Stansloski ran the fastest time of the night in 2 minutes 44.91 seconds, ahead of Lilly Anderson in 2 minutes 56.31 seconds and Raimata Williams in 2 minutes 57.67 seconds.

Jabu Crouchley was first boy home in 2 minutes 59.31 seconds. Eight-year-old Iris Stansloski stepped up to race the older group and finished in an outstanding 3 minutes 0.70 seconds.

Lilly Anderson had a busy night. She ran the fastest 200m in 34.57 seconds, just ahead of Raif Richardson in 34.84 seconds and Micah King in 35.12 seconds. She also put the shot 8.02m and cleared 1.15m in the high jump.

Eight-year-old Leo Saunders was the standout in the field, winning the discus with a mighty 14.19m and the long jump with 3.09m, and taking out the 60m as well.

Seven-year-old Charlotte Taylor threw the discus 11.40m, Zayne Humberstone Kara put the shot 8.58m, and Meiania Akuhata produced a huge 9.30m in the 10-year girls shot put.

The long jump produced some close contests.

Ivy Watkins leapt 3.46 metres to win the 10-year girls and also won her 200m in 37.74 seconds.

Rocco Taylor (3.35m) and Kingston Burgess (3.34m) were separated by a single centimetre in the 10-year boys.

Braxton Perry jumped 3.06m to win the 9-year boys, and Kirra Lambert won the 8-year girls with 2.96m.

The youngest athletes tackled the 200m with plenty of determination.

Ngaio Seymour won the 5-year girls in 48.51 seconds and Makhosi Crouchley the 5-year boys in 51.41 seconds.

Hazel Peden (46.26s) and Leo Edmonds (48.80s) won the 6-year races.

The season is off to a great start, with more than 80 children aged 5 to 14 and around 40 tiny tots registered.

A big thank you to every family who has signed up.

The second measured night is on Tuesday, November 3, followed by Ribbon Day on Saturday, November 7, with more details to come.

The club would love more volunteers, both on Tuesday nights and for Ribbon Day.

If you have been involved with the club before, or your children have come through the programme, we would love to see you back.

For more information or to offer a hand, contact children’s club captain Chirese Viljoen on 027 551 2111.