News

The weather came to the party for those club members contesting the ever popular Buller Marathon 0n Saturday. Initial overcast conditions and a period of light rain aided in particular the marathon competitors prior to descent into Westport. We were well represented in both the 42.2km and 21.1km distances. Robbie Barnes, Lionel Graham and  Jan Curnow all recorded top-three finishes in their respective grades in the half marathon.

Full Marathon Run
Paul Gunningham 3hrs 56min 47sec                                                                                         Tracey Sims 4hrs 22min 39sec

Half Marathon Run
Robbie Barnes 1hr 19min 50sec; 1st M5059                                                                             Kevin Bishell 1hr 28min 39sec                                                                                                        Lionel Graham 1hr 40min 40sec; 1st M7099                                                                               Ron Adams 1hr 42min 07sec                                                              Allister Leach 1hr 50min 19sec                                                                                                         Jan Curnow 1hr 55min 56sec; 3rd F5564                                                                                  Steve Olsen 2hrs 07min 02sec                              

Half Marathon Walk
Judith Hyndman 2hrs 43min 07sec                                                                                              Kay Leach 3hrs 01min 28sec
For full results click here                                                                                                                   View the You Tube video of the finish here
For some photo’s click here (courtesy of Michelle Fox)

 

 

 

 

On January 22nd 2015 the new equipment garage was officially opened celebrated with a BBQ and drinks after Summer Runners.
President Bill Hunter welcomed everyone to the event. Special mention of welcome to present Life Members, representatives of Versatile Homes and Buildings Blenheim, Smart Alliances, Simcox Construction, Rick May and ITM, Marlborough District Council, Scouts and Guides.
Project Convenor then gave a brief history of storage of equipment at members homes etc and the Committee thought it was time we had everything together. Now the trailer is parked in the garage, loaded with only the equipment we need for individual events and returned. Club records will also be stored in shelving provided.
The garage was opened debt free with the assistance of sponsors plus:
>Marlborough District Council grant $10,000 plus accrued interest given to the Club when we existed the old building of Marlborough Civil Defence.
> Redwood Trust $5,000.
>Pelorus Trust $5,000.
Sponsors of the garage are:-
>Versatile Homes and Buildings, Blenheim
> Simcox Construction – for the drainage and soak pit
>Smart Alliances – Kenneth Leach for the ground testing and soak pit design
>Rick May & ITM for Brackets and timber for shelves inside the Garage
Other helpers who went above and beyond :
> Other users of Churchward Park for their co-operation.
> Stephen Folster at APL properties – always helpful and approachable, told me who to approach at council about the waiver of the building consent fees
> Lynne Reeves at the Council who organised the consent fee wavier – no problem at all, an e mail did the trick, easiest thing I’ve had to organise at the council.
> Paul Gunningham – organising Simcox for the drainage etc
> Allison Blackmore for all her sterling effort with funding etc.
> Those involved with working bees at the Garage. Bill, Julie, Peter, Paul, Cameron, Megan, Allister Leach
> All club members who have participated in Marshalling  for events to help with funding (e.g. Marlborough Marathon)
The Marlborough Harrier Club committee for having the faith to just do it.
This facility is well positioned and will be a valuable asset to the Club.

 

Near-perfect conditions greeted the 156 competitors who took to the Wither Hills on Saturday morning which included a record field of 33 in the walk. Competitors from as far afield as Australia, Auckland and Stewart Island were entered.

King of the Withers 2015 is: Jeremy McKenzie (41.49 and 1st Veteran Man)
Queen of the Withers 2015 is: Megan Craig (46.43 and 1st Open Woman)
1st Junior Man: Hamish Clark (53.44)
1st Junior Woman: Rebecca Forgesson (65.43)
1st Open Man: James Kuegler (45.47)
1st Veteran Woman: Di Cooper (52.12)
Ashley Toms won the hybrid and Natilde Folis was the first woman home.
Jonathan Martin and Clare Weyers won the walking titles.

The Rose Ag team of John Kennedy, Nick Rayner and Amon McGregor won the business house team event for the second successive year. Scott and Anna McDermid took the married couples title. Jeremy McKenzie was presented with the Dennis Patchett Memorial Trophy awarded to the first Marlborough Harrier Club member home.

Provisional results and photos
Additional photos are available at http://www.shuttersport.co.nz or at Langwoods Photo Centre, 75 Queen Street Blenheim.

Read the Marlborough Express article here

Congratulations to Dale Smit for being selected as the only athlete from the Asia – Pacific Region to run in the final leg of the Torch Run for the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015. This is held in Los Angeles, California in July 2015.
Reported in the Marlborough Express Wednesday 10th December 2014 by Anna Williams. His comment after receiving the news was “I’m pretty happy”.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/sport/63971890/Special-honour-for-Blenheim-runner

The Club’s AGM was held 24th November 2015. Please see the list of office holders on the tab About / Our Committee.
Bill Hunter has agreed to do another term as President making his the 3rd year but gave notice people will have to look at this position for 2016.
We have a new Club Captain in Peter Mann and a new Deputy Club Captain in one of our newer members Cameron Kain. Please help these two to carry out their duties by volunteering on race days and/or other days they need help on.
Our new Race Secretary is Allister Leach replacing Steve Olsen who has done a sterling job over many years. Time to smell the roses Steve and enjoy running. See you back on the Committee soon.
Our new Men’s Handicapper is Paul Gunningham. Just remember guys he has been running a long time and knows all the tricks of the trade.
Great to see Dale Smit formally be a Committee member. He has been coming to the committee meetings to see what it is about and now is the time to make him formally a member.
Wayne Gee has returned after quite a spell off the Committee.
Ross Logan, a past runner, President, Committee member, representative on the Tasman Centre Athletics NZ and now a timekeeper recorder as his health allows was made a Life Member recognising all the years he has put and still putting into the sport supporting Marlborough Harrier Club.
Les McKay, a past runner, President, Secretary, Committee member, representative on the Tasman Centre Athletics NZ and now timekeeper, recorder, historian, in charge of the website, Facebook and anything that needs doing was also made a Life Member recognising all the years he has put and still putting into the sport supporting Marlborough Harrier Club.
Congratulations to those that have come forward to serve Marlborough Harrier Club.

 

Cameron Kain took line honours in the final event on the official club calendar for the 2014 season when the Prosser Cup was contested on Saturday. Cameron also recorded the fastest actual time for the 8.2 km distance and his wife Megan claimed the Women’s Road Handicap.

Kay Leach was the first club member home in the walking category. Fletcher Kopua, Gemma Bishell, Fred Vavasour and Anna Barnes were winners in the children’s grades.

Children’s prize-giving followed the afternoon racing. Sam Hamilton and Amber Bendell were named as the recipients of the Vulcan and Western trophies. The Vulcan Trophy is awarded to the Most Promising Midget (12 and under) Boy. The Western Trophy is awarded to the Outstanding Midget (12 and under) Girl.

Senior prize-giving saw Allister Leach receive the Presidents Trophy, awarded for Best Club Spirit. Kathryn Mann was named as the recipient of the Presidents Supporters Cup and the John Western Memorial Cup for sportsmanship was presented to Sheila Waters. Julie Hunter and Diana Smit were jointly named as the Most Improved Walkers. The Anita Neal Trophy for Most Improved Runner went to Kiri Johnson. Margaret Hazelwood was named as Marlborough Harrier of the Year and Robbie Barnes as the club nomination for the Marlborough Sports Awards.

Full Results and Prosser Cup Photos and Senior Prize-giving Photos (courtesy of Dale Smit)

Read the Marlborough Express article here