News

The club road champs were held on the Grovetown circuit on Saturday afternoon. Overall conditions were perfect with overcast skies and no wind. The rain that was forecast held off until late afternoon.

Andrew Curnow and Kiri Johnson were comfortable winners in the senior grades. Michelle Fox, Margaret Hazelwood, Robbie Barnes and Rab Rodger won the veteran titles. Kiri, Margaret and Rab claimed back-to-back titles in their respective grades. Jan Curnow who finished second in the veteran womens 55+ grade ran a personal best of 23min. 30sec. for the 5km course.

In the junior grades the closest finish came in the Girls 14 and under with Anna Barnes crossing the line just three seconds ahead of Sophia Bendell. Amber Bendell, Luke Jones, Hunter Bendell, Lucy Bendell, Bailey McKay and Hannah Munro were other winners in their respective grades. Carol Ryder won the 5 km walk.

The Guerin Trophy is also associated with this event and is awarded in the veteran mens grade under a sealed handicap. The winner is kept under wraps and is announced at the end of season prize-giving.

Full Results and Photos

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