Kiwi shotput legend Dame Valarie Adams is among the presenting team for the upcoming Track Stars event.
The collaboration between TVNZ and Athletics New Zealand will see some of the country's top athletes compete for national titles, while a selection of Kiwi personalities will participate in track-and-field events.
A team of veteran broadcasters and athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Dame Valerie Adams, Olympian Sarah Cowley Ross and presenters Scotty Stevenson and Matt Gibb will lead the coverage.
“I’m really excited to be co-hosting Track Stars. It’s not every day you get to bring together elite athletes and some celebrity faces to celebrate the sport we all love," Adams said.
"Athletics has shaped so much of my life, and I love being able to showcase both rising talent and those at the top of their game. It’s going to be a fantastic event, and I can’t wait to share that energy with everyone”.
The names competing in the track and field competitions include Hamish Kerr, Zoe Hobbs, Sam Ruthe, Tiaan Whelpton, Tom Walsh, Sam Tanner, Jacko Gill, Maddie Wesche, Anna Grimaldi, Lisa Adams, Will Stedman, Mitch Joynt, Madeliene Waddell, Lex Revell-Lewis, Nick Palmer, Blessing Sefo, Holly Robinson, Danielle Aitchison, Alex Rose and Connor Bell.
“I’m very excited to be opening my season at Track Stars," champion high jumper and Supreme Halberg winner Kerr said.
"The summer season has been so exciting with so many great athletes competing, so I’m looking forward to hopefully adding my name to a list of great domestic performances.
"Track Stars is particularly special for me as it will be the first time competing in my hometown for a few years, so I’m looking forward to sharing it with my family and supporters."
The well-known Kiwi personalities clashing on the track included The Hits host Jono Pryor, award-winning actor Te Kohe Tuhaka, former Silver Fern Maia Wilson, The Morning Shift co-host and ex-Tall Black Brook Ruscoe and actress Turia Schmidt-Peke.
The group will take the starting blocks to compete in the 100m, 400m, and Shot Put events.
"I couldn’t be more excited and more underprepared for Track Stars, but there’s nothing more exhilarating than the thrill of potentially pulling a hamstring live on national TV," Pryor said. "The event is free to air, free general admission and is going to be fun for the whole family."
For fans who want to be there in person, general admission at the Douglas Track & Field, Trusts Arena, on March 7 will be free with tickets also available for premium grandstand seating.
Coverage will air from 7pm-9.45pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
The New Zealand Track and Field Championships take place between March 5 and 8 at the Trusts Arena.
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