PNG Games programme set

ATHLETICS PNG has published a list of events to be included in the PNG Games Athletics programme. 
A full range of track and field events for men and women will be conducted, including  sprint and intermediate hurdle races; 3000m steeplechase; hammer throw, heptathlon for women and an octathlon for men.
There will also be a half marathon for men and women on the final day of the Games.
A men’s and women’s pole vault will also be included as demonstration events, subject to the availability of the necessary equipment in time for the Games.  Demonstration means there will be no medals on offer, but anyone wishing to try the event can do so.
The absence of a water jump means that the Steeplechase will be a modified version of the full event, with athletes still being required to clear a total of 35 hurdles in the race.
It is understood that all the necessary equipment has been ordered and will soon be despatched by the suppliers.
An octathlon is a modified version of the decathlon, commonly used in cases where no pole vault equipment
is available.
In the octathlon, athletes compete in eight events instead of 10 – 100m, 400m, 1000m, 110m hurdles, shot-put, javelin, long jump and high jump.
Points are awarded based on performance in each event and the athlete with the highest points from the eight events is the winner. 
In the women’s heptathlon, competitors have to do – 200m, 800m, long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin and 100m hurdles.
Competition kicks-off on Saturday November 24 with four further days of competition from Monday to Thursday.
The half marathon race will be conducted on Friday morning, November 30, with the 4x400m relays bringing the athletics programme to a close just prior to the closing ceremony which will also be on that day.
The draft competition timetable has been drawn up on the basis that the number of entries will be similar to the last Games in 2009 but will be modified if the final number of entries is lower.
The full list of events, draft competition timetable and competition rules is available on the Athletics PNG website.