There is a saying that slow and steady wins the race. However these athletes show that being fitter and faster is better, especially if you want to win races and medals. This team is prepared to put themselves on the line and push through prior-thought limits in training. They are successful through their consistent discipline, determination and devotion. This includes many hours, days, weeks and months of training. Remember their names as they are all going to achieve great things in the future. Meet the elite racing team for 2026.
Charlotte Ashcroft is an exceptional young athlete whose dedication, versatility, and competitive spirit have already made her a standout in both orienteering and running. Her achievements reflect not only natural talent but also a relentless work ethic and a commitment to continual improvement.
Sophie Atkinson is New Zealand’s 800 metre Queen. She started her running career in Year 9 and 10 by competing in park runs, cross country and xterra forest runs. She has since gradated as a fearless front runner who is dominating the 400m and 800m lists.
As a 12 year old Louay Benaoum achieved an 85% park run age grading. This means he is an elite National Class level athlete. Since moving to Melbourne in 2024 he has made an impact on the Australian athletics community. During 2025 he finished in the top 10 in the Australian Cross Country Championships.
Ali is a proud member of the Waitakere Athletics club. He started focusing on Athletics at age 7 after placing 3rd at his school cross country event.
What do you say about an athlete that medals in her first national championship race? Dove Elton is a rising star athlete whose determination, leadership, and academic excellence set the foundation for an exciting future. With that podium finish in her first NZ Championships, unwavering commitment to her studies, and an active role in shaping her school community, Dove is already proving what’s possible when passion meets perseverance.
Meet the captain of New Zealand's number 1 ranked and gold medal winning U20 road relay team. Kayo started running when she was 4 years old and has since competed and been a very fast and valued member of the Auckland City Athletics. Club
Greta Hunter is moving up the ranks and her fast times indicate she will be challenging all those with the goal of becoming a championship title holder. With a current 1500m time of 4m44 and a devastating finishing kick, Greta can really put all other competitors on notice. If you want to win a race this is the girl you have to beat.
Hannah is a talented and seriously fast athlete who has been consistently winning medals since she won 800m gold at the North Island Colgate Games at age 12. She is also very versatile with an ability to excel in various event disciplines, including victories in the Auckland Champs 3000 metres, the Night of Fives 2000 metres, gold medals in NZ Championships u16 Javelin and 300m hurdles events and in 2024 earned a bronze medal in the NZ Secondary Schools 800m event. With an 800m time of 2m11 and a 400m time of 58.7s, Hannah is one of New Zealand's top ranked 800 metre runners but is equally proficient at longer distances given that she is the Oceania 1500m champion for 2025.
Zara Pomfret is a dedicated and intelligent athlete well known for her tactical racing style, strong finishing kick, and impressive performances in cross country, 1500m and 3000m. Her consistency and continuous improvement have placed her amongst the top junior U20 runners in the country. Since 2024 she has represented New Zealand in cross country at an international school level, and during 2025 she further competed for New Zealand in the Australian Schools Cross Country and the Oceania Cup in Tonga where she managed to gain a bronze medal in the 1500 metres. At the end of the year her fast finish was rewarded with a bronze medal in the NZ Secondary Schools 1500m with a very fast 4m28s time.
Athletics fans all know the name Scarlett Robb. A multiple-time New Zealand champion, she has represented her country five times in track and cross country and holds the title of 2024 Oceania 3000m champion. She also holds the U17, U18 and U19 New Zealand records for 5km and in 2025 she has the fastest U18 time for the 1500m, 3000m and the Mile. Scarlett is a remarkable all-round athlete, dedicated to excellence both on the track and in academics. With a 3000m time of 9m18 and a 1500m time of 4m22, Scarlett is the one to beat whenever she steps onto the start line.
Sophie is a multiple New Zealand gold medalist over a number of distances. Her 5km time is faster than yours. Such domination of Auckland and New Zealand distance and road racing is not surprising given her extremely fast 3km time of 10m11 and 5km time of 17m37.
Remember this name as Emma Ward, is a rising star. Despite training for less than five months, Emma left an indelible mark on the 2023 NZ Schools Junior Championship Road Race where she clinched a prestigious bronze medal in her debut NZ Championship performance. Her first 3000m race of the 2024/2025 season was a solo 9m59s on a cold and windy evening in October at Mt Smart. That time immediately lifted her to number 4 in the NZ Rankings list for 2024. She ended 2024 with a silver medal in the NZ Secondary Schools Road Race in December and in 2025 she continued her fine road race form with more silver medals, this time in the NZ 10km Road Championships and she repeated her 2024 silver with another in the 2025 NZ Secondary Schools Road Race.
Indie Williams is a remarkable athlete known for her passion and success in leading and winning races. She is the undisputed 2024 U16 Cross Country Champion. In October 2024 on a cold and windy Mt Smart evening she opened the summer track season with a new PB of 4m34 over 1500m and ended 2024 with a dominating win in the NZ Secondary Schools 3000m championships.
Quinn is moving up the placings with every race. He has been the Kings School Cross Country Champion as well as the 2026 Kings College senior 400m and 800m Champion. However he has also accumulated a wide range of very good times during the last track season.
From Year 9 Aimee MacKenzie progressed with faster times and rankings. She won the 2018 u20 mile championships and the 2020 Auckland 5000m Championships.
While at school Kimberley May was a multi medalist at Auckland, North Island and New Zealand Athletics Championships. As a result of her outstanding performances, Kim gained a full athletic scholarship to study at the prestigious private USA university Providence College.
Penelope Salmon is New Zealand's superstar orienteer who also runs track and cross country extremely fast.
