70th Woodruffe Cup report

In what is thought to be one of the longest streak of cross country running in New Zealand, the 70th consecutive Woodruffe Cups was held across Lawrence and Roger Woodruffes property at Awahuri 0n 20 May 2023

Full results on Webscorer

A Feilding Moa Harrier club event, the Woodruffe Cups were first presented by Lawrence and Rogers’ parents in 1954 and held on a Woodruffe farm every year since. This year it was contested on the original 1954 three mile course, reconstructed by Roger and Feilding Moa Harrier members during the week.

The days proceeding began with a photo of past senior men cup winners, which included Lawrence Woodruffe who has won it a record 8 times between 1960 and 1994. The race alternates each year between scratch and handicap, with this years cups awarded on handicap

First race of the day were the under seven year olds doing 1km. This saw a close finish between Max Morris, Maddy De La Harpe and Jake Thirkell.

The 7-13 year olds completed 3.3km which included 100 metres of elevation gain across the rolling hills. Fastest time among the girls was Kapiti visitor Mia Thomson in 15:18 – Mia was the 2022 champion when a Feilding Moa member. She was followed by Emma Verry from PNAHC (15:32) and Lucy Thomson also of Kapiti (16:14)). Handicap win, and therefore the Woodruffe Cup, went to Maggie Lintott with a 4 second margin over Olivia Leckie.

Fastest boy was Jai Parris (15:07) from Hunter Lane(16:23) The Woodruffe Cup went to Jayden Haines on 37:03 from Mason de la Harpe and Corbin Straker both at 37:18.

Junior women, colts and women all started together on the three mile main lap. This included traversing 11 gates and newly constructed stiles. Fastest time in the colts grade was George Skinner in 20 minutes 48 seconds. Handicap winner was William Kenyon, 7 seconds ahead of Will Sablerolle-Stone with Oscar Skinner third.

 Katelyn Thirkell won the Woodruffe Cup for junior women in 35:44 from Lucy McLean (36:59) and Millie McLean (37:50). Fastest lap went to Courtney Fitzgibbon

In the womens race the cup went to Jessica Costall, with a narrow 7 second gap to Kristy Staples. Fastest time went to Stephanie Walker (24:53) from Rosie McIntyre 27:35 and Staples (28:08).

The men completed two laps of the course. Early leader was five-times past winner Nick Johnston, trailed by Wanganui visitors Brendan Sharratt and Hayden Zervos and Damien Lardner also in the mix. Lardner took line honours in 39:12 followed by Johnston 39:26 and Sharratt 40:09. After adjusting for handicaps the Cup was awarded to Nick Johnston, his sixth title win. Andrew McLean was 1 minute back in second followed by Richard Smith and Lardner equal third place.