2018 Scottish Waterfront 5k Race Wellington Tue 16 Oct

Letha Whitman, Sarah Riceman, Amanda Broughton 

Trentham United Juniors Out in Force

Love That Hat 

Results 

Wow!  

There was a big field again tonight with some really hot times from a number of competitors, which must be some kind of record. 

Despite the marginal conditions five women ran under 20 minutes with another just on the cusp of breaking the magic mark. Six men broke 17 minutes with a big group 5 battling it out in the finish straight.

Ryan Hunt was looking to hit 17 minutes or at least get close to it, but his brother Dan Hunt was sceptical that conditions would allow this. 

Dan had ridden his bike around the course and thought the wind was a bit nasty. 

This sounded right since the wind had been rising since mid-afternoon and it was quite strong and cold at the start finish line. 

In the end Ryan did 17.24

Sarah Riceman, Letha Whitman and Amanda Broughton were all within 11 seconds of each other at the finish which is something you don’t often see.  

And behind the first 3 was another group of 3 comprised of Anna Campbell, Lesa Davidson and Kristen Dovey all running times which on any other day would have won it.

19.02 Sarah Riceman

19.07 Letha Whitman

19.13 Amanda Broughton

19.36 Anna Campbell

19.57 Lesa Davidson

20.04 Kristen Dovey

In the men’s race it was Ben Twyman, first into the finishing strait clocking 16.10.

As Ben finished, a group of 5 whipped around the corner to battle it to the line led by Thomas Strawbridge and Michael Du Toit with Tommy Boyd right next to Michael as they crossed the line. 

Just a few seconds back were Patrick McKenna and Finn Molloy.  

Trentham United were well represented in that group of 5 and amongst some of the junior runners spearheaded led by Josh Jordan.

16.10 Ben Twyman

16.35 Thomas Strawbridge (PB)

16.36 Michael Du Toit (1 second off PB)

16.36 Tommy Boyd

16.39 Patrick McKenna

16.42 Finn Molloy

There was a bit of chaos at the finishing chute as the backup number tagging process could not keep up with the numbers pouring across the finish line. 

None of this would have affected the individual times or placing which are captured by Daryl’s 5 eyes system (it’s really 4 but 5 sounds better). 

I have posted a few photos below. It doesn't include everyone. 

Observations:

Daryl could have done with a bit more help at the finish, made worse today by the large number of finishers. I think he said he needs about four people. 

2018 Melrose Shield Relays Newtown Park Sat 13 Oct

Results (There may not be any)

Final Scores for first 3 clubs:

43.5 Victoria University

32.5 Olympic

30.0 Kiwi

Events:

2k walk (not sure if this was part of the Melrose)

4x400m Relay

4 x 100m Relay

4 x 800 Relay

Mixed Medley relay (2 male and 2 females per team)

High Jump

Shot Put

Long Jump (not held)

Victoria University Athletics pulled off an unexpected coup today by winning the Melrose Shield.  

This was a popular win for a club that is experiencing a long awaited resurgence because many of us remember that it was a force to be reckoned with in the 70's and 80's.  

The club has been slowly building up its presence over the last couple of years and this year had a good winter campaign resulting in a third place in the C grade at the Takahe to Akaroa Relay last weekend. 

The club's strength has been augmented with the acquisition of Will Critchlow, Eric Speakman, and now it would seem Jonathan Justice, the fastest finisher on the planet. Not sure what the cost of Jono's transfer was but measured in beer it would have been substantial.

According to Dan Hunt Victoria University athletics has ambitions to continue to build and challenge whenever it can, especially when counting team numbers are small enough to give it a chance, such as the Shaw Baton. Other clubs have been warned.

Dan Hunt Interview

The Melrose is essentially a club track and field competition based primarily around relay racing. This encourages participation which is at the heat of the event, so to win this thing clubs need to turn out. Despite what Sir Peter Jack from Kiwi might hope for there are no points for posing in a deck chair. 

What was also noticeable today and perhaps might have been a clever intention of the original trophy donor was that those who participated would not necessarily describe themselves as track and field athletes.  This automatically introduces an element of fun as new things are tried. And they did well.

  

Observations

Wellington Harriers were not present (apart from one or two) because it was holding its annual prize giving

On the officiating side the event was run on the smell of an oily rag with Jim McIlroy, John Turner and Dawn Melrose running the on field show with Marshall Clark as the starter. Invisible in the control box were Peter Baillie and Ed Hutchinson with Karen McIlroy doing the computer work in HQ.

Kiwi athletics dominated the shot put and high jump which were the only field events held. A last minute attempt (orchestrated by Sir Peter Jack from his deckchair) to include a long jump competition failed. Good try lads but it wasn't going to work with the prizegiving 10 minutes away.

4x400m Relay Photos

4x100m Relay Photos

4x800m Relay Photos

Mixed Medley Relay Photos