Maybe it is the sight of pole vaulter Eliza McCartney soaring through the blue Dunedin sky and breaking records, or powerhouse Valerie Adams' smiling return to form.
Whatever it is, athletics seems to be riding a new wave of enthusiasm.
Even star middle distance runner Nick Willis, who skipped the national track and field championships held in the city recently, helped keep the spotlight on athletics during the weekend, with his confession he is a recovered porn addict.
Athletics New Zealand chief executive Linda Hamersley certainly believes the sport is in good health and she was rapt with the way the nationals went.
‘‘It was the first time I'd been to an event which was run by the Otago local organising committee and I have only ever heard really good things about Otago putting on events.
‘‘As far as I could see, that is exactly what they did - they put on a good event. It all went really well.''
He said the track was in excellent condition and the sunshine which greeted the athletes helped create a wonderful atmosphere.
There did not appear to be any of the normal grumbles about having to travel so far south or the poor standard of accommodation, either.
The event has been scheduled in Auckland for the next two years. However, Hamersley said Auckland was hosting the World Masters Games in April and the local organising committee had expressed concern about being able to handle both events.
Athletics New Zealand is in discussion with Hamilton about hosting the nationals in 2017.
Dunedin may have to wait until 2023 before it has an opportunity to stage the nationals again.
‘‘The next time it is in the South Island we would expect it to be at the new facility in Christchurch which is being built - Nga Puna Wai.''
The tentative plan was for Christchurch to host the event in 2019 and 2020 and for the nationals to return to a location in the North Island for the next two years, Hamersley said.
