Memorial01Rep

Once again this year only a small number turned out for this event, although there were more than last year. Those who organised the race this year have made the commitment to run it again, and do it properly next year, so we look forward to a bigger and better version in 2002.

It was very hot day on Saturday which made for fabulous spectating conditions but lousey for running. In some of the gullys out the back of Puketapu I reckon the temperature was pushing 28-30 degrees. It was sweltering! I am glad I was too soft to do the whole race and only took on 1 leg of the relay, ha ha.

The 1pm start, for all those anticipating taking longer than 1 hour, saw 130 toes on the start line (13 people for those who have trouble with their maths). This small field consisted of 4 solo walkers, 7 runners, and 2 walk teams (both of whom opted to do half the race each). Unfortunately, and this was totally due to our lack of organisation, these early starters didn't get a water stop until halfway down Omaranui Rd! Sorry folks, we WILL do better next year.

The 2pm start saw a further 15 starters, 3 teams and 12 individuals. I was running the first leg of the relay for a family team (Me, Geoff Drake (My Father in Law), and my two boys Eric and Brendan) and quickly shot to the lead. heading out at cracking 4 min/k pace, and feeling good ... until Craig Mathers passed me half way up the hill and left me wondering what the hell I was doing. Craig went on to win the run 1hr36min18sec. Well short of his best, but considering the weather and the lack of competition it was probably a reasonable workout for him. Kevin Fisher was second across the line in what is probably the longest run he has ever run in his life, with Nick Holmes 3rd. Nick was 3rd in the Masterton Marathon just 2 weeks ago!

First woman home was Hastings Harriers' Andrea Williams who cruised the course in 2:08:47, with Napier's Helen Tobin 2nd. Andrea also ran as the first runner of the relay for the Havelock North High girls team which gave the boys team something to worry about!

The walk title went ot Napier's Paul McGettigan in 2:36:43 which is just 3 minutes quicker than Goff Hulbert took for last years event. This year Goff was second, 1 minute slower than last year in 2:40:10, with John Holschier 3rd.

First walk team home was predictably Grame Jones and Gabrielle Gorst who took just 2:04:50 to cover half the course each. A pretty good effort, although I believe Jonesy was a bit pissed off that Gebrielle went 28 seconds quicker for half. Never mind Jonesy, your half is 100 meters further!

Once again the Havelock North High School fronted for the teams race with 1 boys team and 1 girls team to do battle with my team for the Speakman/Green Trophy. It would have been nice to have put our names on our trophy but we did not quite have the fire power to beat the Havelock boys, finishing 5 minutes behind with the Havelock girls finishing third. Look out guys, my boys will be another year older next year and you just beat them this year!!