Track Stars featuring top athletes is on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ tonight. But what is it exactly?
By Adriana Tobin
It’s a new event that’s part of this year’s New Zealand Track & Field Championships and is a collaboration between TVNZ and Athletics New Zealand.
At the same time as our top athletes vie for national titles, a handful of our favourite celebrities will step out of their comfort zone for a chance to be crowned New Zealand’s first Track Star.
They’ll compete in three celebrity events during the evening – the mixed celebrity 400m, mixed celebrity shot put and mixed celebrity 100m – which is bound to provide some interesting entertainment.
Who’s competing?
In terms of the nationals, it’s full of Olympic and Paralympic medallists, as well as some of our brightest talent.
Olympic gold medallist high jumper Hamish Kerr will be there, along with Paralympic 200m gold medallist Anna Grimaldi, and New Zealand’s fastest man and woman, Tiaan Whelpton and Zoe Hobbs.
And you might have heard of Sam Ruthe - the record-breaking teenager is competing in the 1500m.
There’s a real potpourri of individuals taking part in the celebrity events, including former Black Ferns captain Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, The Hits radio host Jono Pryer, award-winning actor Te Kohe Tuhaka, netballer Maia Wilson, former Tall Black Brook Ruscoe and actress Turia Schmidt-Peke.
When is it?
The action starts at 7pm at Auckland’s Trust Arena and will wrap up at 9.30pm.
For high jump lovers, catch gold medallist Kerr competing in the senior men’s high jump at 7.25pm.
Or if you’re into your track, stick around until the end of the night to watch young gun Ruthe in the Senior Men 1500m at 9:35pm.
Among it all our celebs will go head-to-head in the mixed celebrity 100m, 400m, and shot put events.
8.01pm - Mixed Celebrity 400m
8.42pm - Mixed Celebrity Shot Put
9.06 - Mixed Celebrity 100m
Where to watch
Fans in Auckland can soak up the atmosphere with free general admission tickets and premium grandstand seating. For a night in, catch the action at home on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ from 7pm – 9.45pm to watch the coverage live.
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