The small contingent representing Athletics Hawke's Bay-Gisborne Centre at the New Zealand Road Race Championships encountered blustery conditions at Bottle Lake Forest Park, north of Christchurch, but produced outstanding results.
Eric Speakman produced another tremendous run on tarmac to claim the bronze medal in the Men's 16 years and under 6km race. Adding this to a silver medal at last December's N.Z. Secondary Schools Road Champs, Eric Speakman has manufactured running credentials no one could have envisaged twelve months ago. The winner was Rabah Bashir (Akl) in 19.51, followed by Dane Shearman (W-BOP) in 20.00, with Speakman crossing in 20.03.
Hastings Harrier Andrea Williams claimed the bronze medal in the Masters Women 35-39 Division over 5km. She recorded a marvellous time of 18.48, to cross behind Leanne Durry (Sthl) in 18.24 and Kristine Read (Akl) in 18.45. This was excellent reward for a dedicated local runner for over two decades.
In the Mens 19 years and under 8km contest the talented trio from Napier Harriers obviously ran close to their full potential, with good runs from Daniel Wallis (4th), Stefan Smith (5th) and Ryan Woolley (10th). Their only regret has to be that they didn't have a fourth team member which would have guaranteed them team medals. Wellington's Tim Hodge won in 25.37, from Lewis Jenkin (Akl) 26.01 and Zane Robertson 26.18. Wallis finished in 26.45, five seconds ahead of Smith, while Woolley crossed in 27.38.

Also of interest -

Sean Eustace contested the non-championship 3000m race for boys 10yrs and under finishing in 7th place in 12:42.5 and was entered as Napier Harriers - Good on ya Sean.
Craig Eustace started the 10km race but was unable to finish due to the lingering effects of a recent illness
Ex Napier Harrier Peter Handcock placed 3rd in the M40 in 33:43.8

Full results at Athletics NZ Homepage.