Katie Harris carved the most impressive performance of numerous strong efforts, in the final races of the Napier Harrier Open Handicap series raced on Napier's Marine Parade on Saturday. She recorded a personal best (21.07) for 5km, although battling the brisk northwesterly on the homeward leg of the out and back circuit. Although three seconds behind Aleesha Heywood (23.44) at the finish, the second placing secured Harris the women's 16 year old open hancidap title by a single point.
The tremendous feature of the Alan Angus Cup race for Senior and Masters Women, was the splendid handicapping by Cheryl Simpson, which saw the first seven runners finishing within the space of 22 seconds. Marion Sherburn (24.07) claimed the trophy with an impressive run, holding out the late challenge of Adele Marsh (22.32) by 25 metres. Although Marilyn Brown (21.26) didn't feature prominently in this race, she secured the handicap series by a huge four point margin.
9 year old James Harris continues to proclaim his intention not to be upstaged by his elder siblings. Harris (8.07) with his no nonsense attitude, won the 2km Under 12's race by a huge 26 seconds from Tyler Hambleton (8.53). Daniel Smith (7.25) recorded the quickest time, while Brendan Speakman, having already secured the boys 12 year old open handicap title, did a lap of honour.
In recent races Ryan Woolley has found turbo drive on the smoother tarmac surfaces. In the junior men's over 5km, Woolley (16.43) cut down pacesetter Caleb Milne (18.18) in the home straight to take maximum points. Eric Speakman (17.53) ran impressively for third and gained the vital points needed to share the men's 16 year old open handicap series with Hogan Green. With Stefan Smith preoccupied with other sporting endeavours, Kane Green said thank you, and leapfrogged Smith to take the men's 19 year old open title by a solitary point.
Dave Baxter celebrated married bliss by winning the prestigious Laurence Cup, which was first presented in 1937. Baxter (51.07) off a generous handicap, hoodwinked his fellow competitors by running a different homeward course. He had the luxury of walking to recover his breath and still won by 36 seconds. A tremendous effort by Shane McCormack (35.23) gained him second place and fastest time. On the out and back circuit, McCormack ran strongly to take full advantage of the tailwind, and got to the turnaround point in 17.06. Eric Phimister (38.07) ran his heart out to finish third, holding out Darryl Strachan (37.11) by four seconds. Mark Lane (40.03) finished in sixth place and collected the vital points to take the men's senior/masters open handicap title.
Having his first race with the club was Choi, an enthusiastic 32 year old Korean runner, who is residing in Napier for twelve months. Choi is building on his fitness towards the 22nd Napier Half Marathon in November.
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