This event was held at the Club Presidents property in Hawkesbury Road. Conditions could not have been better for the 50 members that attended.
All participants no matter what age, walking or running, were split into teams of 4 where they ran/walked a course through farmland. There were no winners but all had a lot of fun.
Afterwards during a sausage sizzle etc the Club Captain outlined what the Club was doing over the season.
The open day is a “get to know you” day encouraging all ages no matter how fit to come along and go to places you do not generally get to as a member of the public.
Harrier Glossary
I know for us more mature people in the club, we understand the language and we use these terms all the time not knowing new club members might not understand.
I have made the following list that will demystify the Harrier language:
Marlborough Harrier Club Language
| Saying | Definition |
| Hybrid | Not sure if I am a walker or a runner |
| Time Trial | Time it takes to start in one place and finish time and distance |
| Race Bib | This is worn when racing on your feet, not racing your food down |
| Pack run | Running or walking in a group together – not with a pack on your back carrying food, drinks or bricks |
| Hilly | Some serious hill work |
| Undulating | Gradual to steep hill work |
| Flat | See for miles but could be the odd hill |
| Chat | What we do during afternoon tea or even some during a run |
| BBQ | Food |
| Approx | Applies to distance so could be longer than, but never shorter |
| Shorter | Applies to distance so less than approx |
| Cross Country | You could get your feet wet and definitely dirty |
| Volunteers | YOU |
| Handicap | The Handicapper looks at what you have run before estimates your time for today’s run, adds a bit, takes off a bit and is clearly deaf and open to the odd payback – generally he beats you. |
| Setup | Coning, taping the course and setting you up for a great race |
| Up to 2 hours | Could be more could be less |
| “Scenic Native Bush” | At the end of the run you ask “where was the bush?” |
| Selectors | A person that picks a team to run for the club based on how fast you are on the distance. This is based on previous times or if you pay for a round when it is their your turn |
Marlborough Harrier Club season open day Saturday 23 March 2013 2pm
Yes the summer season has been and gone. We now go into the winter season starting with a pack run from Bill and Julie Hunter’s home 357 Hawkesbury Road, Blenheim at 2pm. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to get information on the run and what is happening the following weeks.
Bring a plate for everyone to share.
Whether new to Harriers or a member renewing your membership please go to the membership tab in this website. You will see how much the membership is then click on Printable form if you want to do it manually or click on the electronic form, fill it out (there are mandatory sections) then click on submit. You will get an email confirming with a specific number that relates to your input. Direct Credit money as directed and you have done it. Please contact Les McKay 5778307 if you experience problems.
See you Saturday.
Saint Claire Half Marathon 11th May 2013
Marlborough Harriers Club has one free entry to the St Clair 1/2 marathon (http://vineyardhalf.com/event-info/) to give to a current financial club member (2012-2013 financial member). Entry is in run, walk or hybrid category, and the event is on 11th May 2013. If you would like to be in the draw please email steve at solsen@callsouth.net.nz by Wednesday 13th March. Winner will be drawn at Summer Runners prizegiving at Ron’s place on Thursday 14th March. Note: winner will be expected to run in club colours.
Cheers, Steve.
At 63, theres no stopping her
Great article in Marlborough Express sports page on one of our own, Margaret Hazelwood. Just follow this link
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/8244927/At-63-theres-no-stopping-her
King and Queen of the Withers 2013
A bit of history before you head out on the track on 5th January 2013.
The event was first held in 1977 as the King of the Withers and contested by male runners only. In 1992 it was opened up to female runners and renamed the King and Queen of the Withers. Originally the course started in the CBD by the Post Office, went into the Wither Hills up Redwood Street and then returned to town down Scott Street. Increased traffic and housing developments meant several changes have had to be made to the course so since 2004 it has run totally within the Wither Hills Farm Park area. Further innovations saw separate male, female and walkers’ events introduced in 2003, a hybrid (walk/run) section introduced in 2009, plus business house and married couples’ teams sections.
Because of the course changes our records start at 2004.
Ian Columbus and Bob Fox organized the event from 1977 for the next 20 years. Ian confirms Dennis Patchett won the first race. It was Dennis who sowed the seed for this run while a few of the Harriers were running on the Withers for their Sunday training run of approximately 20 kms. They decided at Dennis’ insistance to cut the course in half and make it competitive open to the public.
The results with records are recorded on our website under events, King and Queen of the Withers then scroll down until you get to “previous winners and records” tab. All in there.
Overall winner 2004 was Senior Men Jason Watts 45.45, Senior Women Suzie Aviss 49.53, Vet Men Kevin Ellis 45.01 and Vet Women Firth Brown 54.46. Walker men Barry Neal 1.06.15, Women Barbara McGuire 1.27.55.
Current record holders:
Junior men Sam Hansby set 2007 48.13.
Junior Women Megan Craig set 2010 53.53.
Senior Men Daniel Hopeta set 2007 40.33.
Senior Women Andrea Hewitt set 2009 45.28.
Vet Men Phil Costley set 2012 38.55.
Vet Women Suzie Aviss set 2008 48.43.
Men walker Barry Neal set 2006 47.41.
Women walker Barbara McGuire set 2006 1.14.10.
Some very impressive names indeed.