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Monday, August 18, 2025

2025 Moonshine Relay, Trentham Memorial Park Upper Hutt Sat 16 Aug

Julian Baker, anchor for the winning WHAC A Senior Men's team

2024 Wellington XC Champs Harcourt Park Sun 20 Jul

There’s a quote that goes, “Even the poor all have smartphones in New Zealand.” But can they afford ART? Probably not.

Now, you might be wondering what any of that has to do with the Gardens of Isengard, the misty threat that loomed over Middle Earth, or the sweat-slicked drama of cross-country running.

The answer: absolutely nothing. Zilch. Nada.

But what is relevant — and frankly deserves to be carved into stone tablets — is that Peter Corbett (M70 – WHAC) delivered an absolute master class in domination, thrashing Dave Hatfield (M65 – Scottish) over two grueling laps of the 4km course.

A result so seismic, you'd think it might interrupt the 6pm news. It didn’t. Shame, really.

Meanwhile, in the SM race, Callum Stewart (WHAC) had the audacity — nay, the gall — to challenge the established order by snatching the lead from the ever-dominant Eric Speakman (Victoria Uni) somewhere in the murky stickiness of lap two.

A bold move! Heroic, even! Alas, it didn’t stick.

But Speaky the undisputed Dux Bellorum of Vic Uni Athletics kicked back into warp speed, claiming first, with Callum settling for silver, and Joshua Fitzgerald (Victoria Uni, ex-Nelson) claiming bronze.

Liam Chesney (WHAC), Vosseler champ, came in fourth — possibly still recovering from that last vertical nightmare of a course.

Victoria Uni had a strong showing overall.

But let’s address the elephant on the course: only 19 starters in the SM grade. Where is everyone? Did the nation’s runners get stuck in traffic... or on TikTok? This is peak skibidi behaviour.

And it gets worse. The SW grade had a grand total of 12 starters. Twelve! Is it a race or a yoga class?

At least Kumiko Otani (WHAC) made it worth watching, delivering an absolute demolition job and finishing two full minutes ahead of Debbie Lynch (Olympic). In third was Madeline Keown (Trentham), with Madeline Spencer (WHAC) just behind. Madeline supremacy is real.

As for the Masters? Let’s just say if cross country was an intergenerational battle, the W35s and M35s are running away with it. Literally. The elder elite continue to dominate the Wellington scene like wise sages with shock absorbers.

Junior grades (U18/U20) remain characteristically light on numbers, but a few bright sparks flicker through — notably Jessica McKenzie, Joe Martin and Connor Kemp. Amongst the kids (U16) the Williams brothers, also known as the "pocket rockets." continue to run riot around the paddock

Watch this space. Or better yet, show up and run.

Photo's Race 1

2025 Dorne Cup (100th) Trentham Memorial Park Upper Hutt Sat 7 Jun

Results

100 Years of Dorne Glory: Sunshine, Creekside Drama & Kamikaze Max

Today marked the centennial running of the Dorne Cup, and what better way to celebrate 100 years of cross-country chaos than with a little sunshine, a splash of creek, and a few heroic faceplants (unofficial stat). Local running historian and endurance typist Mark Growcott of Hutt Valley Harriers has delivered a mighty tome of Dorne lore — packed tighter than a porta-loo queue with stats, sepia-toned snapshots, and a parade of names that will warm the cockles of any veteran runner’s heart. Frankly, the man deserves a medal… or at least a pair of dry shoes.

The weather forecast? Utter nonsense. Predicted: arctic gales, icy downpours, and general meteorological misery. Reality: balmy sunshine, soft breezes, and a creek that looked more like a reflective puddle than a raging torrent. The course? Positively Instagrammable. If Dorne Cup courses were hotel rooms, this one was the penthouse suite.

Race 1: Women, Masters, and Paul Hewitson

The afternoon kicked off with the Senior and Masters Women, plus honorary "Master of Mayhem" Paul Hewitson himself. Kumiko Otani (WHAC) wasted no time in establishing a commanding lead — the kind of front-running that makes coaches weep with joy. She breezed to victory with over 90 seconds to spare, leaving Madeline Watson (Scottish) and Debbie Lynch (Olympic) in her wake, probably wondering what jetpack she was using. Meanwhile, Paul Hewitson reminded everyone why his name keeps popping up in race reports — first master’s man home, yet again.

Mel Brandon (Scottish) scooped up the W35 title, while Sally Gibbs (a national running icon and quite possibly immortal) took out the W60 grade in style.

Race 2: Youthful Speed and Maximum Drama

Enter the U20 and U18 battalions, with 4km of fire in their legs and nothing to lose. Joe Martin (Scottish) took the win for the U20 males, while Ava Sutherland (Olympic) stormed home for the U20 females. Meanwhile, Connor Kemp and the daredevil known only as "Kamikaze Max" Doherty had a spirited scuffle for second and third — it was less a race, more a high-stakes game of chicken. Consult the results for the winner; it was too close to call from the sideline snack tent.

In the U18 division, Alex McBeth (Olympic) and Paige Dobson (Napier) were your champs — showing speed and poise that would make even the Senior Men nervous.

Most of the mishaps at the creek unfolded in this grade

Junior Races: The Williams Brothers Begin Their Reign

The lower age grades brought a heartwarming dose of mini-marathon magic. The tiny titan Cooper Williams (HVH) nabbed victory in the U12 Boys, while younger brother Luke followed suit in the U10s. The dynasty has begun. Remember those names — in 10 years, they'll be storming the Senior race like it’s the Battle of Helm’s Deep.

Main Event: Senior Men and Apprentice Oldies Throw Down

And then… the main 8km event. The big show. A swirling mass of spikes, spit, and ambition. A stacked field lined up, including a platoon of “Palmy Army” marauders, hoping to loot and plunder the team prize. But Vic Uni had clearly been hitting the secret training vault.

Lap one saw a mighty creekside convergence: Seamus Kane (Scottish) (long time no see!), Liam Chesney (WHAC), Eric Speakman (Vic Uni), Harry Dixon (Palmy Army), and a few other brave souls. But by lap two’s creek crossing, it was clear who had the legs and lungs to finish fast: Eric, Harry, Liam, and Max Taylor (Vic Uni) stormed through in that order.

Vic Uni’s strength surprised me, given their slightly quieter showing at the Vosseler Shield. Perhaps they’ve been sandbagging. Meanwhile, Seamus Kane faded to 7th, and in the team race, it was Palmy Army, Vic Uni, WHAC, then Scottish — a tight contest, and no doubt the subject of post-race pub debates.

In conclusion: The 100th Dorne Cup had it all — vintage vibes, breakout stars, textbook pacing, and a weather forecast that couldn’t have been more wrong. Here’s to the next hundred years of muddy shoes and mid-race existential crises.

Race 1 Senior Women Masters Women Masters Men 60-70" 6km: Photos