Julian Baker, anchor for the winning WHAC A Senior Men's team
Monday, August 18, 2025
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
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