October 13, 2001

The Napier Harrier Club's Road Champs were held in Taradale in Saturday afternoon, on an all new course based from the club's rooms at Taradale Park. Atawhai Hospital generously allowed the club to run through their grounds, and this tight twisting section provided some interest during the events.

In order to allow some of the club's juniors to 'double up' from the secondary schools champs being held in Havelock earlier in the day, the Senior and veteran races were held first. Both starting at the same time, the Men raced over a 4 lap course to total 10km while the women covered 2 laps for 5km.

Both races followed similar patterns, with Craig Mathers quickly taking the lead of the Men's event with a small pack initially giving chase. Kevin Fisher and Brent Jones both looked to keep Mathers in their sights but were unable to match the determined and gutsy running of Mathers, who lead Fisher by 43 seconds at the tape with Jones, running a PB (Personal Best), another 28 seconds adrift.

In the Women's event it was Jo Cavanagh who headed out with only Under 18 runner Annike Edmondson, able to give chase. As with the Men's race, Cavanagh had too much pace for Edmondson and crossed the line well clear with Adele Marsh third across the line.

The Veteran Men also raced over the 10km distance, and this race a much closer contest. Club Cross Country Champ Eric Phimister, recently returned from an excellent Half Marathon run in the UK, was looking to make it a double, but he hadn't counted on the quietly improving John Craven. Craven took the lead early on and quickly covered every move made by Phimister, to hold on and take the title by 19 seconds, the first time Craven had beaten Phimister this season.

Next up the under 12's did battle and there was surprise in store for the club's leading under 12, Eric Speakman, in the form of Australian State Competitor Shane Loseby. Loseby showed the benefits of a regular training regime to account for Speakman, but as he is not a club member Speakman won the club title from his younger brother Brendan. Brendan, however turned the tables in the handicap race, beating Eric by 1 point and therefore securing the Handicap series for the under 12's. Aleesha Heywood claimed the girls under 12 title.

The under 14/16 athletes held the final battle of the day. Racing over 4km, Kane Green proved far too good, doubling up from his earlier win in the secondary schools race to race away with the club title as well. Stefan Smith was second to cross the line with Green's younger brother Hogan showing some improvement over the recent weeks picking up third overall and first under 14 boy. Laura Smidt took the girls under 14 title from Shayna Heywood, but Heywood did enough to take out the sealed handicap series by one point from Smidt. Sonya Clark was the winner of the under 16 girls event.

A 'no show' by Leo Pearce in the Senior Men's race cost him dearly when Mathers, Jones and Craven all leap frogged him in the Sealed Handicap Series, Mathers taking out the series with 80 points, Jones and Carven equal on 79 and Pearce stuck on 78.

Adele Marsh took out the Senior/Vet Women's sealed handicap series.

Following the afternoons racing the club prizegiving was held at the clubrooms. Various trophies which had been won during the year were presented, as well as the Handicap Series Trophies and Club Road Champs trophies which had been decided during the afternoon.

The only unknown trophy winners left were for the Ron Gibbons Memorial Trophy and the Vogtherr Trophy. The Ron Gibbons Memorial Trophy is presented the club athlete deemed to have produced the Most Outstanding Performance of the Year. This years contenders were Chris Corney for winning the New Plymouth Marathon, Craig Mathers for his outstanding effort in the club's cross country champs and Laura Smidt for her winning effort at the Dorne Cup Cross Country Races and it was Smidt's efforts in Upper Hutt that stood out from the others and gained her the trophy.

The Vogtherr Trophy is presented to the Club's Sportsman of the Year. To gain this trophy the recipient must be very active in the club and be considered the epitome of what good club member should be. Chris Corney was this year's recipient. Corney's never ending enthusiasm and willingness to do whatever was needed whenever it was needed, backed up by his athletic efforts made him the clear winner.