We first ran at Banners Farm near Halcombe in 2009. This year saw another new route with a bit of everything: fast gravel roads; technical creek bed; single track pine tree uphill and a decent sized steeple on each 2.5km lap. A little bit of weather, starting to feel more like cross country season each week – did not deter a large crew of runners and walkers.
The Open handicap start meant each person had a pre-assigned starting time and were responsible for being on the line to start on time. Our athletes have become very good at this self-starting process.
Women ran 7.5km for the Mike Hannett Memorial Cup, presented for the first time. On hand were a number of members of Mikes family and his son, Regan, (himself a past junior member) was on hand to present it. Unfortunately race winner Rosie McIntyre had to leave before prize giving. Rosie also had the fastest time, 38:21 and headed home to pack her bags as she leaves for the UK in a few days time. She will be running the inaugural Bridgnorth Marathon in her old home town on Monday 28 May – don’t forget to pack your Moa singlet!
Minimoas did a bit over 1km, with Harry Waugh and Joshua Addenbrooke finishing together in 6min 53 sec, followed by Lachlan Banner and Lailani Hassan.
Boys were racing for the Wilson Cup (donated by club patron Bruce Wilson and his wife Pat). This was won by Austin Lean, running off a 15:45 handicap, from Lewis Ives and Awatea Burton. Fastest time went to Jacob Lean, 11:28 narrowly from Awatea in 11:31.
Girls competed for the Iplex Cup and it was presented by one of our Life members and ex-club captains Barry Masters to Millie McLean. Sister Lucy was next and Hawaiki Bentson 3rd. Fastest time went to Hayley Cornwall of 10:11 from Lucy McLean 10:25.
Colts (14-17 year boys) 5km was one of the closest races with the first six place getters within 90 seconds of each other. Fergus Doolan (off a 8:45 handicap) won from Sam Parry (11:00), Reuben Duker (11:00) and Liam Wall (13:10). Liam recorded the fastest time 17min 25 sec.from Samuel Stichbury 18:46 and Sam Parry 18:51.
Janine Wasley was one of our promising junior runners until she was tragically killed in a car accident in 1997. Her parents attended todays event and presented the Janine Wasley Memorial trophy to the winning 5km Junior Woman – and quite fittingly that went to Kate Wasley, with 30s back to Maddie Keightley and another 30s to Tessa Webb. Tessa had the fastest time 20min 10s.
Men did four laps, 10km. The clubs fastest runner, Nick Johnston was away at the Hawkes Bay marathon – he came second in a new PB of. This opened the race up considerably. Josh Dunstan-Brown off a 25 minute handicap was the “backmarker” and needed to get past everyone else if he was to win. He got by half the field to be 10th, while Tim Carpenter (off 21:30) thoroughly enjoyed the course and recorded the win with Rob Dabb 2nd. He also had the fastest time of 39:59 from Jacob Platt 40:10 and Josh in 40:14. Tim won the Aussie Thomas Cup.
