In a pulsating final lap, Boh Ritchie just held out Aimee Ferguson to win the inaugural Millie Sampson in 4:57.50, with Ferguson close behind in 4:57.83.

It is Ritchie’s fastest mile by five seconds and her first sub-five-minute mile time.

Millie Sampson, who set a world women’s marathon record of 3:19:33 in 1964, presented the awards.

Ritchie (15) the national U20 5km road and cross country and the national U18 mile champion said Aimee did a really good job pushing her.

“It’s amazing what Millie Sampson accomplished, and it’s a great honour to win the mile in her name,” said Ritchie.

Next up for Ritchie is a couple of 3000m at the Classic meetings and then the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst next month.

“It’s super exciting to be selected for the World Cross Country Champs and the opportunity to run there, it will be a great experience.”

Bella Earl, who is also selected for the World Cross Country Championships, was third in the mile in a PB of 5:00.36, running down Charlotte Floodsmith-Ryan (5:00.98) over the closing stages.

National junior 1500m champion Karsen Vesty followed up his second placing last year with a convincing win in the John Walker junior mile in 4:12.64.

After a slow first lap, Christian De Vaal took up the front running dragging the field out with only Vesty prepared to go with him. With 300m remaining Vesty shot to the lead and went on to claim the honours.

De Vaal recorded a PB 4:15.27 and was followed in by Ronan Codyre 4:19.28, Angus Monro 4:20.21, Callum Murray 4:20.92, Ben Brunner 4:21.63, James Ford 4:22.22, Louie Endres 4:23.70 and William Johnston 4:27.27 all personal best times.

Despite running a faster 4:10.46 in last year’s race Vesty said he was in better shape.

“I had a good race last year for second and I’m better this year. John Walker is a legend, so it’s awesome to win the race.

“The first lap was pretty slow and then Christian took it on for the next couple of laps and I sat on him, and he stringed out the field for me.
“With 300 to go I took off and never looked back from there.

“I’ve been concentrating on the speed work as that’s how you are going to win races,” said Vesty, who is coached by Richard Potts in Hastings.

Vesty will race over 800m at the Potts Classic and then compete at the New Zealand senior mile and 3000m championships.

Anthony Nobilo added a further 70cm to his best hammer throw set just after Christmas with a further massive effort of 68.95m. Oliver Chung set a PB 31.10m with the 5kg hammer.

Fergus McLeay took out the sprint double in 11.15 -4.0 and 21.88 -1.1. Mariella Venida won the women’s 100m in 12.51 -2.7.

Jamie Mora 800m 1:56.96, Richie Trathen 3000m RW 16:16.13 PB, Nathan Buckley JT 59.54m, Brendon Barnett LJ 7.21m +3.9, Rafe Couillault HJ 2.03m =PB, Jools Peters PV 3.65m.

Sophie Adams 400m H 66.84 PB, Paige Fletcher 3kg HT 45.68m, Fernanda Tirado 44.97m PB, Sophie Hancock LJ 5.21m +1.7. Held on the North Shore the pole vault competition witnessed a PB for all three placed athletes; Lilli Bing 3.55m, Amayah Wingfield 3.45m and Elaine Zhai 3.15m.