Tom

The first cross country race of the season held was at Taylor Dam on Saturday. Firm ground and a cool southerly promised some quick times and we weren’t disappointed. It was great to welcome new faces along the fifty competitors who lined up to take on the deceptively demanding course.

Angus Kopua and Gianna Harris clocked the quickest times in the Boys and Girls Under 7 grades. Hannah Monroe (W16), Bailey McKay (B14), Hunter Bendell (B12) and Jaxon Harris (B10) won their age grades with Lucy Bendell (G12) and Anna Barnes (G14) both having to hold off some stiff competition to be first across the line.

Judith Hyndman was the first walker home covering 3km in 23:35.

Andrew Curnow brought home the senior men in 24:50, with  Robbie Barnes the first veteran home only seconds behind in 25:15 for the 6km distance.

Seniors also edged out veterans in the women’s race with Jess Barnes finishing 4km in 19:32 just under a minute ahead of veteran Joanne Farrell.

Full results are here

Times from this race will be used to calculate handicaps for the next race in the Taylor Dam series which is the Novice Cup held two weeks from now on Saturday April the 20th.

Perfect weather for the Buller Marathon on Saturday, with Marlborough well represented and some personal best times recorded. Congratulations all round!

Marathon
Ron Adams, 3:37:16

Half-Marathon
Robbie Barnes, 1:18:23, 1st Male 50-59
Allister Leach, 1:39:40
Jess Barnes, 1:41:51, 3rd Female U20
Steve Olsen, 1:57:47
Emily Burgess, 1:58:42

Half-Marathon Walk
Leanne Barnes, 2:50:24
Kay Leach, 3:01:04
Barry Hyndman, 3:01:05

A few photos Here

Well done to everyone who competed in today’s race, tired legs and happy faces all round!

King of the Withers 2013 is:
Ian Thomas (44:10 and 1st Veteran Man)
Queen of the Withers 2013 is:
Megan Craig (48:36 and 1st Senior Woman)

1st Veteran Woman: Almuth Waechter (53:58)
1st Senior Man: Fergus Were (45:47)
1st Junior Woman: Jess Barnes (56:08)
1st Junior Man: Leathan Landon-Lane (54:50)

Richard McCallum and Judith Hyndman took the Mens and Womens walking titles respectively.

Jeremy Ham came home first in the hybrid event and Kayla Best was the first woman.

Results are now available here.

Update: The results have been updated with Business house and Married couple team results. The Marathon Farms team of Robbie Barnes, Jess Barnes and Nick Pope won the business house team event for the second year running with a combined time of 2:37:27, 10 seconds quicker than last year. Dave and Julie Grono took the married couples title with a time of 1:59:17 edging out a record field of eleven other couples teams contesting the event. Don’t forget to checkout the photos now available at digiproofs.co.nz

Well after all your training, hard slog and sweat, it is done. Congratulations to all competitors no matter what distance or result. Just letting yourself do it is a big ask. Thanks to all our volunteers that assisted the organizers and getting the Marlborough Harrier Club name out there. Next project: King and Queen of The Withers? The Buller? By now you have got over the pain of Saturday saying ‘never again’ Of course you will! Some great results and close finishes in all events:

Marathon
Philip Sim	3:24:25	1st Male 50-59
Paul Gunningham	3:25:12	2nd Male 50-59
Nicky Cameron-Dunn	3:40:55	1st Female 40-49
Michelle Harris	3:58:45	3rd Female 40-49
Cara Shirley*	5:32:39	6th Female 30-39

*Limped through the pain of knee injury to complete her first marathon, well done Cara.

Half Marathon Run
Robbie Barnes	1:20:09	1st Male 40-49 (5th overall)
Ian Thomas	1:20:09	2nd Male 40-49 (6th overall)
Tom Burgess	1:34:33	9th Male 30-39
Alistair Leach	1:40:31	8th Male 50-59
Brent McKay	1:41:55	16th Male 30-39
Michelle Fox	1:54:38	4th Female 40-49

10k Run
Dale Smit	38:42	1st Male 20-29 (1st overall)

5k Run
Jess Barnes	23:01	1st Female 19 and Under (3rd Overall)
Simon Ridder	28:07	2nd Male 20-29
Anna Barnes	30:35	3rd Female 19 and Under

10k Walk
Leanne Barnes	1:16:21	2nd Female 40-49 (5th Overall)

Full results          Emily’s photos     David’s photos       Official photos ($$)