The 10th annual Illawarra Track Challenge was held at Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre on Saturday 13th January 2024. It was a great meet that attracted some big names, and Nowra athletes did themselves proud amongst the quality fields.
Assisted by warm conditions and tailwinds the athletes delivered terrific sprint results. Young Hollie Braddick won the U12 60m in 8.41 beating out Savannah Cox from Campbelltown (8.52) and Elanor Scott from Camden (8.85). Hollie competed in a combined race with the U12 boys and ANSW commentator reported she gave the winning male ‘a run for his money’, crossing the line just behind Lucas Hill from Wollongong who clocked 8.18. 
Erin Smart enjoyed a good hit out contesting 3 sprints. In the opens 60m, Erin was 10th in her heat with a good time of 8.12. In the 100m, Erin was 8th in her heat with 12.98 and in the 400m, Erin went so close to a sub minute run crossing in 1.00.01 for 5th place.
12-year-old Archie Higgins gave it his all in the opens 400m, against a much older field and ran well to clock 1.02.84.
In the NSW Mile Championships, Nowra had 5 athletes. Toby Dyball was 4th in the U18 event, in 5.00.86 followed by Hamish McLaren in 5.04.25 whilst Gavin Dyball had a strong race to take 3rd in the 50-54 years Mile race with 5.32.68.
In the Opens race, a large pack of about six athletes worked together at the front to keep the pace honest. This pack included former Nowra athletes Harrison McGill who finished 4th in 4.09.55 and Cam Musgrove who was 5th in 4.10.70. The race was eventually won by Perth’s Thomas Moorcroft in 4:06.02, ahead of Randwick Botany’s Stefan Music in 4:07.07. For Nowra, Will Dyball was 8th in 4.24.21 followed by Nic McGill in 4.34.17.
In the final event of the day, the open 3000m, Daniel Wood ran consistently to finish in 10.41.74 for 14th place. 
Well done to all these athletes. We look forward to seeing everyone back at the track for Country Championships next weekend.