Jackson Street Mile could win Olympic support
By Tim O?Connell
The Jackson Street Programme has thrown its support behind efforts to organise a one mile running event in Petone next year, featuring Olympic bronze medallist Nick Willis. Petone may be the home of a new iconic athletic event in March, should plans go ahead for a one-mile race down the main street of Petone. Wendy Jaspers of the Jackson Street Programme said last week that tentative preparations were underway for the race, with local Olympic hero Nick Willis expected to run as a major drawcard. Aaron Cardie, a friend of Willis? brother, approached the programme several weeks ago to float the idea, and to get local support. ?He asked us if we?d be willing to support the idea, and we said ?of course?.? ?Mrs Jaspers said that while planning was in its early stages, the prospect of having such a race take place in Petone would be great for the community. She added that the presence of Hutt lad Willis made the event something special, and gave younger athletes a chance to see someone of his calibre in person. ? The Petone Herald understands the race is planned for a Sunday morning in March, and will involve one or two warm up races in addition to the main event. It is also believed that the race will start at the Cuba Street end of the Petone CBD, and follow Jackson Street for the duration of the 1.6 kilometre course. When contacted by the Petone Herald last week, Mr Cardie said he was meeting with Nick Willis and the CEO of Athletics New Zealand this week to discuss the idea further. While hopeful the event would go ahead, and stating that Willis was ?very keen? for the run to happen, he declined to comment further until after the meeting.?
