2018 Wellington Track & Field Meet Newtown Park Sat 15 Dec

Adrian Stockill smashes NZ M50 discus record

Results

I went to Newtown Park to catch 3 people run a 10,000 championship track race scheduled to start around 4.15pm. It was going to be exciting. 

But as it turned out the race was cancelled because of a lack of interest. Funny that. But honestly scheduling a 10k track race only a few weeks after the well attended and very successful Agency 10k races does seem a little pointless.

Instead I did catch the fat end of a 3,000m race with 17 entrants. And that was fun. The starters were mostly Scottish probably drawn together by the smoke signals on social media. 

But there were others including Liam Woolford from the Manawatu and ex St Pat’s Silverstream athlete Liam Carson. Paul Hewitson represented WHAC which he seems to do quite often and I might add very well. Naturally it wouldn't be a proper race without Dan Hunt and his brother Ryan.  

I think the race went something like this:

#Mad Harry takes off and establishes about a 15-25 metre lead over the rest of the field. 

This gap is roughly maintained until the penultimate lap when the gap starts to close probably through a combination of Harry slowing and some of the chasing bunch increasing the pace. Don’t ask me for lap times. 

By the start of bell lap the leaders of the chasing group smell blood and are closing fast with Ben Twyman and Mark Moore going for the doctor.  

In the finishing straight a speedy BT and an equally determined MM have passed a dying #MH and pick up 1^st and 2nd respectively. Ben’s time of 8.59 is a PB and I suspect Mark’s time of 9.01 and those of several others will be personal bests as well. 

Ben gets a lot from me about his racing, but I want to give a shout out to Mark Moore who has really taken the bit between his teeth this year with his races and rapidly improving times. 

Harry is 3^rd while Stephen Day grabbed 4^th place to get his revenge on Andrew Wharton from last week’s trouncing at the Basin Reserve. These two masters I presume will continue their 100-year war for racing dominance.

Irish newcomer Shane O’Rahilly got his first taste of the Newtown Park track but I hope somebody told him and the other newbie Dom Godfrey the good racing conditions experienced are rare.

Sadly Deborah Lynch was the only woman in the field although Michelle Van Looy, who likes a good track race or two, was lurking about somewhere.

8.59.70 Ben Twyman

9.01.36 Mark Moore

9.02.98 Harry Burnard

9.05.26 Stephen Day

9.10.12 Andrew Wharton

9.12.15 Bert Prendergast

9.14.94 Liam Woolford

9.19.62 Shane O’Rahilly

9.20.98 Dom Godfrey

9.22.60 Dan Hunt

9.28.58 Valentino Luna Hernandez

9.33.57 Alasdair Saunders

9.41.12 Paul Barwick

9.43.83 Ryan Hunt

9.47.77 Liam Carson

10.14.68 Stephen Bass

10.30.56 Deborah Lynch

10.37.11 Paul Hewitson

The other news is that over at the Kiwi Throwers Social Club, a new national record was set in the M50 discus. The culprit was Adrian Stockill who biffed the thing out to 46.82 metres smashing the old record by 2 metres. 

That is not a misprint; the record was broken by 2 metres. 

I didn’t see the throw but it certainly excited Sir Peter Jack who jumped out of his portable throne and came hurtling across the inner field pushing his zimmer frame yelling and waving his stick. 

I thought he had found oil, but no he was only looking for Jim Blair to re-measure the throw and verify the record. Chatting to Adrian afterwards I can confirm he thinks he can go better with this biffing lark.

Other Stuff

Let it be known that Bert Prendergast does not do summer racing. So if it looks like he is then he isn’t.  Real racing starts in April.

2018 Scottish Waterfront 5k Race Wellington Tue 11 Dec

Marketa Langova set to pace for those after a time of about 27 and a half minutes

Results

What is Daryl saying? Let me guess. "There are two road crossings, ... don't be a hood ornament"

Conditions for tonight’s race were excellent with little wind to hamper proceedings for the 145 or so finishers. 

Part of the Kaizen crew. Yep there's more of 'em

The first man home was regular Dan Jones who ran a nice 15.28.  Its seems completing (and winning) the 60km up-and down-dale Kepler Challenge ten days ago does not appear to be hampering his ability to race over 5km.

The fast improving Ben Twyman came around into the finishing straight a clear 2^nd with an official time of 15.51.  Although not his best time this season Mr T is now consistently clocking sub-16 on this course.

Third home and dark horse was first-time Jerome Edwards who ran 15.49. This will be an automatic course PB for him.

In the women’s race the first 3 ladies were all well below 20 minutes. 

First was Marseille Bowie who ran 19.37 to lock out the opposition.

Carla Denneny was 2^nd in 19.49 while just behind her and dangerously close was Jane Copeland from the UK who finished in 19.52.  

All 3 are newcomers to this event and pick up automatic PB’s.

Other stuff

Will Daryl wear this season's Santa hat next week for the final race of the year? 

Daryl with last year's model of Santa hat

2018 Scottish Night of Miles Basin Reserve Sat 8 Dec

Results 2018 (detailed below)
Scottish Race Report 
Sharon Wray's Photos
Results 2017

This is the second year in which the Scottish Night of Miles has been held at the Basin Reserve but I wonder if it should go back to Newtown Park next year.

Last year the Basin was the venue because the new track at Newtown was still under construction. 

The meeting at the Basin alternative venue was successful because it was novel and generated a good atmosphere. 

This year that atmosphere seemed to be missing a bit although there was no obvious reason why this should be.

From an organisational and logistical perspective Newtown Park is the much better place. It is purpose built for running and with all the facilities and equipment.

If this year’s organisers sit down to assess what worked and what didn’t maybe they should consider returning the event to Newtown Park or as a compromise to use the Basin in alternate years.

Masters Men A

1 Andrew Wharton 4:46

2 Stephen Day 4:47

3 Andy Ford 4:48

4 Alisdair Saunders 4:52

5 Valentino Luna-Hernandez 4:54

6 Paul Barwick 4:55

7 Jonathan Justice 4:59

8 Simon Keller 5:04

9 Michael Wray 5:08

10 Stephen Bass 5:10

11 John Beale 5:12

Masters Men B

1 Andrew Kerr 5:14

2 Jim Jones 5:15

3 Tom Crumpton 5:17

4 Paul Hewitson 5:20

5 Steve Darby 5:22

6 Geoff Ferry 5:23

7 Chandima Kulathilake 5:34

8 Chris Speakman 5:38

9 Willy Gunn 5:53

10 Marshall Clark 5:58

Men’s B Mile

1 Scott Russell 4:31

2 Dan Hunt 4:39

3 Felix Williamson 4:48

4 Ryan Hunt 4:49

5 Gus Reece 4:51

6 Chris Wharam 4:54

7 Bede Van Schaijik 5:02

8 Matt Bonner 5:03

9 Roman McArdenny 5:24

10 Chris Howard 5:26

11 Liam Harker 5:52

12 Peter Murmu 6:01

Women’s Mile

1 Hannah Oldroyd 5:03

2 Deb Lynch 5:03

3 Jessica Hughes 5:26

4 Miranda Spencer 5:27

5 Lindsay Barwick 5:28

6 Nat Hardaker 5:37

7 Sarah Riceman 5:47

8 Emma Bassett 6:02

9 Clare McKinlay 6:07

10 Jamie Vessiot 6:07

11 Emma Sturmfels 6:08

12 Amy Auld 6:14

13 Serena Rudge 6:14

14 Niamh Fyfe 7:19

15 Maaike Day 7:19

Elite Men’s Mile

1 Kieron Sexton 4:22

2 Dougal Thorburn 4:25

3 Scott Russell 4:27

4 Shane O’Rahilly 4:29

5 Chris McIlroy 4:30

6 Jack Hammond 4:32

7 Michael Du Toit 4:34

8 Ben Twyman 4:39

9 Bert Prendergast 4:50

Daniel Du Toit (No walking results?)

Jim Jones

Scott Russell ran the B Mile and the Elite Race

Santa Struggling to Keep Up 

Hannah Oldroyd and Deb Lynch 

Josh Jordan 

2018 Scottish Waterfront 5k Race Wellington Tue 4 Dec

Dan Rakic tonight's 25 minute pacer

Results

Cameron Goldsmid

Tonight’s 103 hardy runners and walkers would have finished a bit battered and bruised by the feisty northerly that built-up throughout the day.  That wind was ferocious and I doubt there would be many PB’s so Poo to that!

Daryl decided the wind was too strong for his flags and for the second time this year parked his car on the north side of the finish area to protect his Five-Eyes recording system from being blown onto Wakefield street.

I pity the Santa’s in tomorrow’s Christmas Santa Run who will possibly get both strong wind and rain.

The first woman home tonight was Myra Moller in 21.06 which might be her inaugural run. Not the best conditions for a first run around the waterfront but at least the time will be an automatic PB.

Next was Sarah Fountain in 22.19 which is her first top 3 placing since Feb this year, so well done Sarah?

Third across the line was Maree Carson in 22.31 on her 2^nd outing in this race and in trying conditions at that. At least it wasn’t raining.

In the men’s race Cameron Goldsmid cleaned up scoring a 16.52 win. This is by no means Cam’s fastest time for this event but it is good to see him back and in reasonable shape.

Two minutes back and in second place was James Marshall with a time of 18.50. This is JM’s best placing forever and the time isn’t bad considering the trying conditions.

Not to be forgotten and back in third was Jake Hanson who finished in 19.11. This is Jake’s slowest time on this course but his best placing. There is always next week though.   

Other Stuff

There were lots of Kaizen T-shirts on parade tonight. There must be a story there.

Athletics NZ wrongly reported that the winner of last week’s race was Mark Moore. It was in fact Finn Molloy as Mark was not even a starter.

2018 Scottish P-Team World Mountain Running Champs Tip Track Wellington Sat 1 Dec

Results

Here is everything you wanted to know about pies and stuff

It was a modest but enthusiastic crowd that turned out for this social but testing event.  

None of the people from the morning speed sessions at Newtown Park turned up which I had partly expected.  

Watching that lot run around in circles around the track reminded me of my blog header which quotes the late Robin Williams and his reference to hamsters.

But who needed the elite runners when one of the original P-team founders turned up in the form of Bruce Lake. 

Dressed suitably in black and representing New Zealand (but without the Fred Dagg gumboots) was  “Brucie” raring to go after an absence of  5 year (or so).  

Also risking it for his first beer and pie outing was newbie Bede Schaijik and at some later stage I must ask him how it all went.

After the traditional briefing from ground control (Karl WoodHead and Stu Beresford) the show got underway. 

I didn’t hear any disclaimers about competing at your own risk which considering Stu is a lawyer seems to be an oversight. Maybe it’s in the entry paperwork but there didn’t seem to be any of that either.

Mr Lake was first away which just goes to show that years of practice on P-Team expeditions are never wasted. First impressions always count but I can imagine that second impressions would show Brucie to be walking after the first bend 30 metres. In other words it’s a long way to the top if you want another beer.  

Matyas James was the last away but it surprised me a little that Tom and Glenn the two Victoria University representatives were also slow to finish up the drinking and eating bit and head away.

Apparently there are no winners according to KW but seemingly there have been some consistently good performers notably Api Williams. 

Api was not there today and nor was Don Stevens who told me earlier in the week that he normally does well in this event. 

So maybe bragging rights are only meaningful if you were actually there as a participant.  

2018 Scottish Waterfront 5k Race Wellington Tue 27 Nov

Jo Badham tonight's 30 min pacer

Results 

Who would have believed it? Two dead-heats in a week; Last week Ben Twyman and Kristian Day crossed the line in a dead-heat even though the results gave Kristian the win by a split second.

This week Trentham United teenager Finn Malloy and the long-legged Pat McKenna fought it out up the finishing straight to the line, neck and neck all the way. Finn got the official win but both Pat and he were recorded with the same time of 16.47.  

So technically does that make it 1^st equal for both?

Incidentally Finn will be running the senior boys track 3000m and the 6km road race at this weekend’s National Secondary Schools T&F Championships in Dunedin. He will be representing St Pats College Silverstream, but tonight’s speed work session won’t have done him any harm.

Sitting back in 3^rd place and seriously contemplating the forthcoming Scottish Night of Miles was Will Critchlow who did 17.23.

In the women’s race Lucy Lawlor picked up her second ever win on the waterfront with a 21.33. This is a minute down on her best of 20.33 set in October but is an okay time considering the nasty weather conditions.

Back in 2^nd place was Sarah Fountain with 21.40 while a few seconds behind her was Melanie Hart who captured 3^rd with a time of 21.44.

Other Stuff:

The bad news was the weather was lousy and start-line numbers down. What do they say about when the going gets tough, the tough get...?  And I am not talking about Xmas office parties.

The good news was the waterfront had fewer cyclists and pedestrians to contend with. 

The Round the Bays Fun Run people from Sport Wellington were on hand to out flyers for the 2018 event. This features the lovely Karen Jenkinson as the pin-up girl on page 1. Expect to see these guys again.

And coming up in two weeks and something that might be of interest is the Scottish Night of Miles which features a running Santa Claus and a lolly scramble for the kids. It will be held as a twilight meeting at the Basin Reserve and is designed to be a fun night. Oh and I belive it's free.

A tight finish coming up....