Just in
case you were wondering today’s short roster of 4 races with multiple grades
combined was designed to keep the programme shorter. This was requested by the
club and agreed upon by Athletics Wellington earlier in the year. Thus the first
race started at 11.00am and the last an hour later at 12.00pm. It was all over
in a couple of hours
The economy
programme meant that some races had reduced in distance, which from my
perspective did not have much negative impact.
It also
meant that the fields were larger with the grades combined although the results
have been compiled by grade, as is usual.
The track
was heavy and slippery in parts, probably because Harcourt Park is used a bit
for XC races and winter does not recover that quickly. It would have been worse if it had rained and
while it threatened never eventuated.
In the
Senior Women’s grade Sarah Drought (WHAC) added to the war chest by cruising to
a win over 2 minutes ahead of Maia Flint (Vic Uni) who was followed by Debbie
Lynch (Olympic). From memory, I don’t think Sarah has been beaten this winter in
the various inter-club races.
Seamus Kane
started fast in the Senior Men’s race (on reflection he thought it might have
been too fast) and apart from the last lap ran the whole race solo. The main
threat to Seamus came from Dan Jones who despite his recent heavy race schedule
used the first 3 laps to slowly draw in the leader. Heading up the short sharp,
just after the sound shell, Dan looked dangerous and while I didn’t see he
apparently caught up. But clearly, Seamus was having none of it and found
another gear to pull away and storm to victory.
Making a
cameo appearance and running in third was Niam Macdonald back for a bit after a
spot of globetrotting. Turning up in eleventh place to secure the team's race
for Scottish was Joel Carmen.
Also making
a cameo appearance was Matt Murdoch running in the disguise of Scottish livery.
I remember you Matt.
And Tony
McKone (HVH) also took himself on a rare spin around the park in the MM
Photos have been posted.
The results look a bit skewed though and I might have to come back
to those.
Race 1 Photos 4km B&GU16, M&WU18, WU20, MM60-75, MW50-70, Non Champ
Race 2 Photos 1km B&GU10
Race 3 Photos 2km B&GU12 & U14
Race 4 Photos 8km MU20, SM, SW, MM35-50, MW35, Non Champ
