Senior and Masters track and field
Track and field can seem intimidating, but it is a huge amount of fun and gives you the ability to try a range of different events.
We often hold regular ‘give it a go’ nights to come along to the track, try out different events and also meet new people.
If you are interested in T&F and not sure where to start, get in touch with us at athleticsnelson@gmail.com or check out the Athletics Tasman website.
Saxton Meets
Every summer Athletics Tasman (the regional athletics body) organises and runs Saxton Meets at the Saxton Athletics track. These give participants the opportunity to compete between the Classic Meets and Children’s Interclub events.
They generally start in October and run through to late February/early March.
With alternating A and B programmes, these meets are short and sharp and provide athletes with a variety of competition opportunities throughout the season. The A and B programmes feature a full range of events from short to middle distance track to field events such as throws and jumps. Specific events can be requested to be added to the programme by participants prior to a meet.
The 2026/2027 track and field schedule will be released in September 2026.
More info can be found here: athleticstasman.co.nz/saxton-meets/ or you can contact nelsontrackandfield@gmail.com
Classic Meets
There are a number of children’s Classic Meets over the summer and one for Senior and Masters athletes – the Harold Nelson Classic.
The Harold Nelson Classic is in honour of Harold Nelson MBE who was a New Zealand long-distance runner who won two medals at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland.
Held since 2011, the Harold Nelson Classic has a range of track and field events held at Saxton Athletics Track.
The results from the 2025 edition of the Harold Nelson Classic can be found here.
Masters Athletics
Masters in athletics is anyone aged 30+ and Masters is organised and run at a regional level here in Nelson.
The Tasman Centre is one of the smallest centres affiliated with Athletics New Zealand, yet Tasman’s masters’ athletes consistently “punch above their weight” at national championships.
They compete across a wide range of events - including road races, cross country, mountain running, half and full marathons, as well as track and field - with numerous individuals claiming five-year age group titles and many others achieving podium finishes.
Over the last 30 years, Tasman teams have won 18 NZ Road Relay Championship titles, the second highest of any club, and have also claimed medals in M65+ team events at cross country and road championships.
But it’s not just about medals. Many masters participate for personal goals, fitness, and camaraderie, enjoying club runs and fun 5k events across Te Tauihu.
For further information or any queries on Masters athletics, please contact Derek Shaw, President of Tasman Masters Athletics and Board member of NZ Masters Athletics at nikau1052@gmail.com or nikau@ts.co.nz or 027 548 7537.
Otherwise visit the Athletics Tasman Masters page or the NZ Masters website.
Calendar & Updates
Stay up to date with track events via the Athletics Tasman Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572171010759
Our events calendar page will also contain the summer track events that will be held.