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Napier Harriers fielded seven teams at the 2006 Redwoods Forest Relay at Rotorua, but would they produce better results than in 2005? Oh yes they would, returning home with a fair share of the merit prizes (but none of the spot prizes!).
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The stars again were the Junior Men's team which retained their 4 x 3200 metres title and broke their own course record (2005) by an impressive 1.36. In the fourteen team contest they lead from start to finish. Stefan Smith (10.20) gave them a 26 sec lead, Ryan Woolley (10.45) increased it to 52sec., Eric Speakman (10.46) spreadeagled the opposition by 2.20 and Cameron Poole-Smith (11.24) finished in 43.15, well ahead of Energy City Harriers (44.49) and Tauranga Boys College (48.50). Stefan Smith took the honour of breaking Fetalow Zomo's individual lap record (2005) by three seconds, while Woolley(3rd fastest) and Eric Speakman (4th equal) and Cameron Poole-Smith (8th) produced strong backup.
In the same race the Napier midgets finished eighth in 59.33 with Charlie Chittenden (13.15), Tyler Hambleton (16.22), Ben Fulton (14.18) and Ieuan Edmonds (15.38) enjoying the experience.
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Napier Harrier's Junior Women's team finished runner up to the reigning champions Tauranga Girls College in a 19 team contest over 4 x 3200 metre. Laura Nagel (12.49) completed the opening lap 37 seconds down on Egmont Athletics. Daniele Kiely (13.38) had a short period in the lead before changing over nine seconds behind Tauranga Girls. Anieke Engels (13.35) dropped another 24 seconds and finally Sarah Starkey (14.26) couldn't reverse the trend and Napier finished 2.05 behind the winners, but clearly 40 seconds ahead of a second Tauranga Girls team. Laura Nagel recorded the second fastest individual lap in this grade.
In the same contest the Girls midget team finished a creditable eighth with Annie Creagh (14.09), Holly Edmonds (13.56), Larissa Street (15.52) and Natasha Town-Warner (15.19) running great laps against more experienced opposition.
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The surprise package came in the two person 10km walk contest which attracted 22 teams. Napier Harrier's Sheila Smidt (34.09) finished the opening lap 5 seconds ahead of the lead-off competitor from Whakatane Walkers. Kim Creagh (35.59) carried on the excellent effort to win comfortably by 1.27 from Whakatane, with Lake City Harriers another 3.53 adrift. Sheila Smidt recorded the quickest lap amongst all the walkers on the day.
The Napier Harrier senior team held fourth place in the 5 x 5000 metre race until the last lap where they slipped one spot to finish fifth in 1.31.20. With Shane Vincent (16.39) recording the ninth fastest senior men's lap on the day they were given a strong start. Craig Mathers (17.43), Mark Speakman (19.00) and James Bell (18.58) kept up the strong effort before Jack Needes (19.00) produced a great anchor leg to hold off some strong finishers.
In the 23 team Composite Grade, Trevor Fulton (18.35) got them off to a positive start to be only 26 seconds down on the leading team. Brendan Speakman (19.49) closed the gap to 12 seconds on the leader but Wayne Smith (23.08), Mal Lochrie (23.07) and Shayna Heywood (23.44) couldn't prevent them slipping out of contention to finish sixth in 1.48.14. Shayna Heywood managed to reclaim one place in a spirited sprint to the line.
Everyone enjoyed soaking their sore legs at De Bretts Thermal pools in Taupo on the way home.
pics courtesy Eric Speakman
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