The Hanmer Half Marathon and associated 5km/10km events were held on Saturday. The course takes competitors on a unique journey through Hanmer Forest amongst some amazing scenery. More than 600 competitors took part in one of the events on the day.
Half Marathon Run (436 finishers)
Jodie Brown 1hr 57min 21sec. (18th F40-49)
Michelle Harris 2hrs 02min 18sec. (25th F40-49)
Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon 2014
The Rotorua Marathon celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Saturday. The event doubled as the NZ Marathon Championship and Robbie Barnes representing Marlborough Athletics finished runner-up in the M50-54 Age Group.
Mieke Holtrop also covered the 42.2km distance while Jess Barnes took up the challenge in the half marathon.
Marathon (3511 finishers)
Robbie Barnes 2hrs 53min 29sec. (39th overall; 2nd M50-59; 2nd NZ Champs M50-54)Mieke Holtrop 4hrs 27min 11sec. (10th F60-64)
Half Marathon Run (1815 finishers)
Jess Barnes 1hr 38min 01sec. (19th F11-34)
Read The Marlborough Express article here
Burton Cup 2014
Large fields contested the Burton Cup handicapped event at Taylor Dam on Saturday. For the first time walkers who took part also started on handicapped times.
The original W.G. Burton Trophy dates back to 1933 and is presented to the winner of the Senior Men’s race. This was won by Dale Smit ahead of runner-up Will Barnes.
Other winners on the day included Fletcher Kopua, Amber Bendell, Angus Kopua, Sam Hamilton, Anna Barnes, Yasmin Gee, Kiri Johnson and Bruce Hillis. In the walking section Diana Smit and Julie Hunter crossed the line together to finish first equal.
The final event at Taylor Dam will be held on Saturday 24th May and is a 6 km Handicap Run being held in a reverse direction. There will be shorter distances on the day for children.
Read The Marlborough Express article here
Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake 2014
Robbie Barnes, Kevin Ellis, Keith Zanders, Michelle Harris and Jodie Brown competed in Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake last weekend at St Arnaud. This popular event is organised by Nelson Events and the course is an anticlockwise circuit of Lake Rotoiti.
Despite the less than favourable weather forecast 343 finishers completed the 25km distance in good conditions.
The event will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in 2015 and a tentative date of 18th April has been set. Entry numbers are capped so be sure to get your entry in as soon as they’re open so that you don’t miss out.
Club Results:
Robbie Barnes 1hr 57min 37sec. (6th overall; 1st M50-59)
Kevin Ellis 2:18:30 (37th)
Keith Zanders 2:21:05 (41st)
Michelle Harris 2:55:55 (163rd)
Jodie Brown 2:57:04 (167th)
Read The Marlborough Express article here
Novice Cup 2014
Despite the wet weather good competitive fields contested the Novice Cup at Taylor Dam on Saturday afternoon. This was the first handicapped event of the 2014 season.
The closest finish of the day came in the Boys 10 and under. At the end of 1 km just one second separated Angus Kopua and Finn McKenzie.
The next race at Taylor Dam is for the Burton Cup on Saturday 3rd May and once again all competitors (except walkers) will start off on handicap. However it will be an extra challenge for seniors and veterans who will step up to longer distances.
Full results
Read The Marlborough Express article here
Cross Country Scratch Races 2014
The cross country scratch races were held at Taylor Dam on Saturday. These are used by the club handicappers to calculate estimated times for up-coming handicapped races starting with Novice Cup on Saturday 12th April. It was pleasing to see a number of new-comers as well as many returning club regulars.
Winners on the day were Finn McKenzie, Fletcher Kopua, Amber Bendell, Lexi Pottinger, Sam Hamilton, Lucy Bendell, Anna Barnes, Wayne Gee, Haleigh Smith, Michelle Fox, Robbie Barnes and Keith Zanders.
Read The Marlborough Express article here