While weather records tumbled, the region’s athletics stars wrote their own history as they raced around Harris Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nineteen new records were set when the local Little Athletics club and Armidale Athletics joined forces to host their annual Gala Day carnival.
Competitors from the Illawarra, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Gunnedah and Coffs Harbour made the trek over to take on the locals on Sunday.
Despite the mercury hitting the high 30s, the track and field stars showed no signs of slowing down. Five records were broken by Wollongong veteran athlete Gianna Mogentale with new times in the 200 and 400m races as well as greater lengths in the long, high and triple jump events. She was named the best on ground on the day.
Armidale athletes also broke records with Marvin Palad and Jay Stone conquering their age groups in the 200m, Matthew Haydon beating Stone’s time in the 400m, Jessica Newsome setting the standard in the under six discus, Katie Austin throwing a new javelin best and Ella Russell leaping to a new peak in the high jump.
It wasn’t just the local athletes setting new standards.
Gunnedah’s Marnee Walters sped her way to a new record in the under six 200m while fellow clubmates Brianna Guy and Joshua Coker re-wrote the best lengths in the under 11 javelin.
Tamworth and Coffs Coast had one record breaker each with Bethany Schulin throwing the new best discus distance and under six runner Kallan Wynn setting the new 200 m time.