Leanne Asher
Competitions Manager
Athletics NZ
Phone 04 384 6021
Fax 04 385 1758

Athletics First - Fun, Fitness & Success

From: Alan Clarke [mailto:Alan.Clarke@...]
Sent: Wednesday, 9 August 2006 11:29 a.m.
To: Leanne Asher
Subject: Walking section of Fielding National relay

Taranaki Race Walkers will be putting in at least 1 team for the Fielding relay. As part of the promotion of walking we are always keen to have as many participants as possible entered into such events. Not all of our club are pure race walkers and as such are not registered athletes. My question is, do athletes have to be registered in order to take part in the walking section of this event. Runners obviously do, as it is a National championship event.

Obviously like us you are keen to get people involved in Athletics, whatever the level of ability. Obviously we don't want to turn a National relay into a fun event, but in order to get as many participants as possible in the walking section, to me it would make sense that walkers do not have to be registered athletes (otherwise we would have a very restricted field).

If walkers do not have to be registered athletes, could you ensure that is clear on the entry form and as part of the promotion of the event. I have found with our walking club, that today's participants are tomorrow's competitors. 2 fine masters competitors from TRWC are Eric Kemsley and Vanessa Lowl - we recruited both of them from such events - now they are both in the top 3 in their age groups in New Zealand.

Thank you for your help in this,

Regards,

Alan Clarke