Otago has some youthful competitors hitting the hills this weekend.
Eight runners from the region’s 10-strong team heading away to the New Zealand cross-country championships are under 20, but they come with some big raps and will be looking to continue their rich vein of form in Taupo.
Catherine Lund (Ariki) and Matthew Bolter (Hill City-University), who won the Otago under-20 titles earlier this month, will lead the group in the under-20 women’s (6km) and men’s (8km) races.
Otago runners-up Zara Geddes and Thomas White (both Hill City) will also line up for the under-20 races, as will Becky de la Harpe (Caversham) and Eliza Rothery (Leith).
Rocky Allan (Caversham) and Lisa Lokman (Hill City) — who won the Otago under-18 titles — will compete in the national under-18 events, Allan running 6km and Lokman 5km.
Brent Halley (Ariki) and Oliver O’Sullivan, who won the men’s 35-39 years grade at the world cross-country championships in Australia in February, will represent Otago in the masters grades.
Both will compete in the masters 35 to 64 men overall grade running 8km, with Halley competing for the 55-59 title and O’Sullivan chasing the 35-39 crown.
Bolter, White, Geddes and Lokman will also line up for Hill City in the under-20 relay team, while others will take part in mixed-club or community relays.
Individual events get under way tomorrow morning, followed by relays on Sunday.
