Norfolk Island born and frequent return visitor to her Island home, Tayanita Robertson, has taken out the Norfolk Island Gas Centre 100 metres “Gift”, with the fastest recorded time( 11.6 seconds off a 14 metre handicap) in many years, on Sunday the 8th January 2017 at the Malcolm Champion Oval.

Place getters in the 100 metres and the first four athletes across the line in the World Traders 400 metres and the Middlegate Mile were:

 

Norfolk Island Gas Centre  “Gift” 100 metres:

 

• 1st   Tayanita Robertson

• 2nd   Tahlia Evans

• 3rd   Maycee Deszecsar

• 4th   Zoe Cribb

• 5th   Ella Rogers

• 6th   Cameron Rogers

• 7th   Tony Martinovich

• 8th   Ben Christian

 

World Traders 400 metres:

 

• 1st   Tahlia Evans

• 2nd  Ella Rogers

• 3rd  Siena Menghetti

• 4th  Romany Janssens

 

Middlegate Mile:

 

• 1st  Romany Janssens

• 2nd  Richard Cribb

• 3rd  Marley Janssens

• 4th  Sam Cribb

 

There were some great performances during the afternoon and leading up to the final of the 100 metres Tayanita had emerged as a clear favorite for the title with a dominant performance in her heat.  Maycee Deszcsar, Ella Rogers and Tony Martinovich all had comfortable wins in their respective heats to also progress through to the final on time.

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In the World Traders 400 metres, which starts with the 22 athletes staggered around the track at various points based on gender and age handicaps, it proved to be a day for the ladies with the first 4 places taken out by our young rising track stars. The 400 metres is not an easy event but Tahlia Evans looked strong as she quickly reeled in both Siena and Romany, but with Ella chasing hard it was always going to be a close fought contest between the two to determine the winner. Thalia prevailed, a second or so ahead of Ella and a similar margin back to Siena, with Romany picking up fourth spot.

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The Middlegate Mile attracted a field of 19 and starts with athletes lined up in single file with each athlete commencing running at specific timed intervals that are determined based on gender and age handicaps. With twice winner , Jedd Gardner, not able to participate it seemed like the early favorite for this years race was Richard Cribb, winner of the individual Around the Island Relay Race.

However, it was clear from the start that Romany Janssens was going to be the one to catch as she led the way and completely dominated the race despite a valiant last lap struggle from Richard to try to take out the Mile title. Romany’s brother Marley also impressed with a gutsy run to follow Richard across the line into third, with a fast finishing Sam Cribb taking out fourth spot.

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Then it was back to the final of the Norfolk Island Gas Centre “Gift” 100 metres.

From the gun Tayanita quickly picked up many of  the front markers but had to work hard to catch Tahlia at around the 80 metre mark before powering ahead to a comfortable win in near record time. Tahlia showed her potential and is certainly an athlete to watch with Maycee, Zoe and Ella all running faster times than their heats. The men filled the last three spots in the final with Cameron leading Tony and Ben across the line to complete a great afternoon of competition.

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Prize giving followed with Tayanita receiving the Norfolk Island Gas Centre 100 metres “Gift” plaque and cup as well as the $400 that accompanies it. All eight finalists in the 100 metres and the first four place getters in the 400 and mile received a range of very generous prizes provided by our wonderful sponsors which include :

 

• Norfolk Island Gas Centre

• World Traders

• Air Norfolk Travel

• Norfolk Island Building Supplies

• Norfolk Island Supermarkets

• Max’s Department Store

• Pete’s Place

• Paradise Resort

• Governors Lodge

• PawPaws Pumpshed

• Cascade Motors

• South Pacific Resort Hotel

 

 Congratulations to our winners and to all of our participants in these events. Particular thanks to our many sponsors for their support and for the great array of prizes on offer and to Athletics Norfolk Island for its 19th edition of the Norfolk Island “Gift”.

 

Photos show Tayanita winning the 100 metres and the finalists being presented with prizes by the President of Athletics Norfolk island , Brentt Jones.