Q&A: Finding out more about Gore athlete Max McGregor
Max McGregor, the Gore athlete who has captured plenty of attention.
By Lance Smith
It didn’t take me long to find out.
As a running coach, I like to keep tabs on who’s doing what. Not that I want to coach them, but to know who the opposition for the ones I do coach.
I first became aware of Max at the national cross-country championships in Taupo last year. I was watching the U14 boys race and saw the white singlet of Gore appear over the final hill in the lead. It stayed that way, with Max winning by a good 20 to 30 metres.
My next major sighting was at the Surrey Park track when Max dominated the U14 secondary school champs 1500m and 800m, winning the 1500m by an impressive 12 seconds.
Next up was the South Island champs. Max again dominated, winning both middle distances more or less as he pleased.
Now I knew who Max was, or rather, what he could do.
What does he think about all this? We asked him.
Max McGregor, in his own words
What got your started?
I started with school athletics and cross country and found I enjoyed running. I particularly loved the Waimumu course for Eastern and Southland cross country. In 2021 I started doing light training and ended up winning the Southland Cross Country which I found really exciting and made me want to do more.
What other sports? How do they affect your running (or vice versa)?
I play football and basketball. I have played football for several years - even before I got into running.
My running helps a lot for my fitness for the game and enables me to be competitive for the whole game. I have awesome coaches, particularly Mike Johnston (for the fourth year) for football and Peter Howes for basketball.
They have been really supportive and helped me to improve and have created a great sports culture to be a part of.
What have been your best moments in athletics?
My favourite moment was winning the U14 national cross country in Taupo in 2022. Other highlights have been winning the South Island 1500m and 800m this year and also gaining three medals - a gold, silver and bronze in the 1500m, 800m and 400m at the Colgate Games this year.
What are you hopes athletically?
I hope to continue enjoying the sport and compete at local and national events. I will continue to train hard and hope to develop and improve and stay injury-free.
What’s your favourite event and training sessions?
I really enjoy competing and it’s fun. It’s hard to choose a favourite event but if I had to it would be the 1500m. I enjoy all my training but in particular training on the farm as well as speed sessions with my coach Ricky.
Tell us about your coach and coaching.
I’m coached by Ricky Gutsell who provides me with a training program, and I run with him once a week in Wyndham. I train at home on the farm for the rest of the time. Ricky has been encouraging and inspiring. It was exciting for both Ricky and me to win a national cross-country title in Taupo last year. Ricky is really approachable, and generous with his time and I’m so pleased he’s been there to help me.
What is the best part of athletics?
For me, it’s competing and meeting awesome people who are also passionate about running and athletics. I love the support I get from my family, community and school.
