Cross Country success: Macleans College competes among New Zealand’s best

This year’s New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships at Barge Park in Whangārei was a true test of endurance.

Five Macleans College students represented the school in this demanding national event. With over 650 athletes from 125 schools across New Zealand, the competition was intense and every second counted on the course.

Year 9 student Tobias Crowhurst (Te Kanawa House) made an excellent debut at his first secondary schools championship, placing 15th out of 106 runners in his age group.

The Senior Boys race featured four Macleans College runners competing among 156 participants, ranging in age from U16 to U20. This year, an U17 category was introduced within the Senior division, offering younger competitors a chance to be recognised within their age group.

James Whiteley (Kupe) and Max Maddock (Upham) both made their Senior race debuts as U16 athletes. James finished 83rd overall and 33rd in the U17 category. Max placed 56th overall. Moojin Lee (Upham) placed 24th overall and fifth in the U17 category, while Ben Oxford (Kupe) placed eighth overall - securing a top ten finish.

Ben’s strong result qualifies him, once again, for the New Zealand Schools representative team. He will compete at the 2025 Australian Schools Cross Country Championships, to be held on the Gold Coast in September.

To cap off a successful meet, the Macleans College Senior Boys three-person team - Ben, Moojin and Max - placed fifth overall. This was a commendable effort in a high-calibre field and a proud moment for the school.