2023 Wellington XC Champs Harcourt Park Sun 16 Jul

 

Results

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 

2023 Scottish Club Novice Cup, Galashiels Trophy & Cole Land Cup Eastbourne Sat 23 Jun

 

Sam Miller and Jamie Vessiot with the silverware

Galashiels and Novice Results 

Cole Land Walking Results (to come)

Observations

The results show 23 finishers plus Dan Jones, who having returned from some hard racing overseas, was intent on taking it easy. This means he clocked up the fastest time.

In terms of participation, it was not a great turnout. This is a shame because this and other club races deserve to be supported by members.

The race itself was roughly the same as the one we raced over all those decades ago, except that the track up through the bush is metalled and on the way back we had to cross the main road and navigate the sandy beach. On a good day, the tide would be out but the scooting under the wharf was never easy for tall people.

Today Melissa Moon and Dave Hadfield completed the course, and it is worth pointing out that both of these long-time members hold the fastest times for Women and Men respectively. 

The winners of today’s race who received the Galashiels Trophy and Novice Cup were Sam Miller and Jamie Vessiot. This does mean that the handicapper will never allow them to win any future handicap races – ever.

In the walking race, Helen Willis won the Cole Land Cup.

Visitors today included Jeff Whitaker and Simon Reynolds   

One other thing I noticed was how easy Michael Wray was running on the flat when he headed back to the finish.  No limpy limpy  and no favouring of the leg.