We entered three teams in the competition: Year 9, Junior, and Senior, each ready to take on the challenging 10km relay. Battling strong winds and driving rain along the beachfront course, our runners showed grit and determination.

Each athlete completed a demanding leg of either 2.4km or 2.6km before passing the baton to a teammate. Against tough competition and in testing conditions, the results were outstanding: the Year 9 team stormed home in 3rd place, while both the Junior and Senior teams claimed emphatic victories, finishing 1st in their divisions. It was a remarkable display of resilience and team spirit.

The following day, 10 girls returned to compete for the Auckland Region. Dio once again stood out with the highest female participation of any girls’ school, underlining the depth of running talent across year levels. Despite even harsher weather (gale-force winds and heavy rain) the girls rose to the occasion. Five teams competed across different categories: Senior Girls, Junior Girls, Year 9s, and two Mixed teams featuring three of our athletes. Against all odds, every team delivered a standout performance, sweeping the competition with first place finishes in every single race.

What made these achievements even more inspiring were the challenges the athletes overcame: severe weather, last-minute team reshuffles, new running orders, and even injuries. One athlete showed incredible courage by competing with a broken arm, a moment that epitomised the spirit and determination of the Dio runners.

Across both days, the team displayed resilience, adaptability, and fierce competitiveness, always representing the school with pride. Their collective effort and outstanding results highlight the exceptional calibre of Dio athletes, and the culture of commitment that drives them forward.

Congratulations to all the girls who competed! Your hard work, teamwork, and spirit have set a new standard of excellence. This was an unforgettable two days of racing, and a strong sign of more success to come.