Athletics with a twist.
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That's how Little Athletics regional development and support officer Adam Jolliffe described Nitro Athletics, which had it's first run in the region at Gunnedah on Saturday night.
The athletics equivalent of Twenty20 cricket, the innovative concept burst onto the scene in Australia two years ago and features modified events, which mixed teams of six compete in, bonus points, colourful outfits and music.
"The concept is to bring a bit of fun back to athletics," Jolliffe said.
Events include a 60m sprint, 150m sprint, elimination 800, 2x100m relay, medley relay, long jump, shot put and vortex throw, with each team member eligible to compete in two individual events and one relay.
Jolliffe said it was a good introduction to the Little Athletics season and was "blown away" by how well the event went and the feedback from the community.
"We had people in their 40s and 50s competing in athletics for the first time, in their tutus," he said.
"It was a really good night."
Predominantly an individual-based sport, one of the big drawcards is the team element, and 22 of a maximum 24 teams across the three age divisions- 7-10 years, 11-14 years and open (15 years +) - took to the Donnelly Fields.
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"We had people from Gunnedah, Tamworth, Quirindi, Spring Ridge and all the way down to Scone," Jolliffe said.
The overall division winners for the night were: Excel-arators (7-10), GHFC Gunnie Champs (11-14) and Easier Said than Run (open).
The event also raised funds for the local branch of Can Assist and the Gunnedah Little Athletics Association.