News

Club members contested the annual time trial on Saturday afternoon on the lower track of the Wither Hills Farm Park. The time trial has been a regular event on the calendar since 2008. It is used to assist the club handicappers leading into the road racing portion of the calendar when a number of handicapped events take place. It also aids in the selection of teams for the annual Queen Charlotte Relay.

Organisation is very relaxed in that children can opt to run the 5 km distance if they wish.

Winners in the junior grades were Luke Jones, Emily Munro, Hannah Munro, Anna Barnes and Bailey McKay. The latter two opting to run the full 5 km. John Kennedy headed home the main field in the 5 km followed by Andrew Curnow and Robbie Barnes. Helen Munro was the first walker home.

Full Results

Entries to this fabulous fun 5 person relay runners walkers from Picton to Havelock are now open. For full details of the event just go to Events tab and click on Queen Charlotte Relay. You will see a description of the course, where changeover points are, elevation map details for each leg, rules and entry details. You can elect to print the form off, complete and post the form with the entry fee to us at PO Box 16 Blenheim 7240 or enter on-line which gives you instructions on payment by direct credit.
When it comes to race day there will be a form to complete confirming or altering your runners walkers leg they are to do.

See everyone in Picton for the start.

Robbie Barnes was once again the toast of Marlborough after a superb effort in the Wellington Marathon on Sunday. The event doubled as the NZ Marathon Championships and was Robbie’s first ever attempt at the 42.2km distance. He was rewarded with another national title.

Despite the severe storm that had rocked the captial before-hand, nine club members made it to the start line for their various events. Organisers were forced to alter the marathon course due to weather damage. Conditions on the day were cool but ideal for running.

Marathon (440 finishers):
Robbie Barnes 2hrs 51min 12sec. (25th overall; 2nd M50-59; 1st NZ Champs M50-54)

Half Marathon (1563 finishers):
Brent McKay 1hr 37min 00sec. (112th M20-39)
Jess Barnes 1.46.24 (4th F00-19)
Steve Olsen 1.52.17 (64th M50-59)
Michelle Harris 1.54.39 (40th F40-49)
Cara Shirley 2.16.31 (428th F20-39)

10km Run (1288 finishers)
Dale Smit 41min 22sec. (19th M20-39)

10km Walk (330 finishers)
Leanne Barnes 1hr 17min 31sec. (8th F40-49)

Kids Magic Mile (468 finishers)
Anna Barnes 6min 51 sec. (13th Female)

Results
NZ Marathon Champs Results Provisional

A total of 109 competitors took part in the various Mount Vernon races.

Heavy rain may have restricted the number of competitors in both the Fun Run/Walk and Kids Challenge but a record number of 68 hearty souls took on the ultimate challenge of the 18km Grand Traverse main event. Near freezing conditions and low visibility at the top didn’t deter Jeremy McKenzie who won his third successive title in a time of 1hour 14min 29sec. Simon Leaning of Nelson was second and local runner Brett Forgesson third.

Annabelle Latz won the women’s title in a time of 1hour 34min 42sec. with sisters Meg and Hannah Maher finishing second and third respectively. The latter a former winner. The youngest competitor in the Grand Traverse, 10 year old Fergus Greer finished 48th overall in a time of 1hour 59min 59sec.

In the 11km Fun Run/Walk Daniel Vining from Picton took overall line honours in a time of 50min 45sec. to set a new course record. Daniel a former Marlborough Age Group Badminton representative took 57 seconds off the previous best men’s time set by Kelvin Read back in 2005. Steve Harvey finished runner up followed by Ryan Lock.

Rachel Quigley was the first woman home in a time of 1hour 8min 34sec. followed by Stella Blake and Margaret Hazelwood.

Five children took part in the Kids Challenge over a 2km course. Anna Barnes was first across the line in a time of 11min 10sec. followed by Bailey McKay and Finn McKenzie.

Full Results , David’s Photos and Emily’s Photos

Just under four thousand seven hundred competitors started the Christchurch Airport Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k. At the elite level the half-marathon had been billed as too close to call and the spectators were not disappointed as Hamish Carson of Wellington just edged out national 3000m champion Hugo Beamish, the first four senior men all finishing within ten seconds. Fourty-nine year old Sally Gibbs showed that age is no barrier for her as she was the first women home in 1:17:02 breaking Bernie Portenski’s 13 year age grade course record. Favourites Phil Costley and Liza Hunter-Galven won their respective marathon events.

An improved course and mild temperatures made for ideal running conditions and a large Marlborough contingent didn’t disappoint competing strongly in all running and walking events.

Margaret Hazelwood delivered a standout performance as she broke her own W60-69 course record by 32 minutes clocking a very impressive marathon time of 3hours and 38 minutes. Robbie Barnes, Jess Barnes and Judith Hyndman also took age grade placings.

Marathon
3:38:39 Margaret Hazelwood (1st W60-69, W60-69 Course Record)

Half Marathon Run
1:19:24 Robbie Barnes (2nd VM50-59)
1:23:12 Andrew Curnow
1:33:57 Tom Burgess
1:37:41 Alister Leach
1:43:23 Jess Barnes (3rd W12-19)
1:52:27 Ian Partner
1:52:33 Jan Curnow
1:53:02 Emily Burgess
1:53:05 Steve Olsen

Half Marathon Walk
2:34:18 Judith Hyndman (3rd W40+)
3:05:40 Kay Leach

10k Run
0:41:58 Ray Boardman
0:53:22 Stuart Curnow
0:55:29 Mieke Holtrop
0:59:05 Geoffrey Handley
1:01:14 Paulette Handley

10k Walk
1:21:10 Leanne Barnes
1:36:12 Julie Hunter
1:36:13 Bill Hunter

3k Marafun
00:15:00 Anna Barnes

Full Results and Photo Search (www.marathon-photos.com)