King and Queen of the Withers 2013

A bit of history before you head out on the track on 5th January 2013.
The event was first held in 1977 as the King of the Withers and contested by male runners only. In 1992 it was opened up to female runners and renamed the King and Queen of the Withers. Originally the course started in the CBD by the Post Office, went into the Wither Hills up Redwood Street and then returned to town down Scott Street. Increased traffic and housing developments meant several changes have had to be made to the course so since 2004 it has run totally within the Wither Hills Farm Park area. Further innovations saw separate male, female and walkers’ events introduced in 2003, a hybrid (walk/run) section introduced in 2009, plus business house and married couples’ teams sections.
Because of the course changes our records start at 2004.
Ian Columbus and Bob Fox organized the event from 1977 for the next 20 years. Ian confirms Dennis Patchett won the first race. It was Dennis who sowed the seed for this run while a few of the Harriers were running on the Withers for their Sunday training run of approximately 20 kms. They decided at Dennis’ insistance to cut the course in half and make it competitive open to the public.
The results with records are recorded on our website under events, King and Queen of the Withers then scroll down until you get to “previous winners and records” tab. All in there.
Overall winner 2004 was Senior Men Jason Watts 45.45, Senior Women Suzie Aviss 49.53, Vet Men Kevin Ellis 45.01 and Vet Women Firth Brown 54.46. Walker men Barry Neal 1.06.15, Women Barbara McGuire 1.27.55.
Current record holders:
Junior men Sam Hansby set 2007 48.13.
Junior Women Megan Craig set 2010 53.53.
Senior Men Daniel Hopeta set 2007 40.33.
Senior Women Andrea Hewitt set 2009 45.28.
Vet Men Phil Costley set 2012 38.55.
Vet Women Suzie Aviss set 2008 48.43.
Men walker Barry Neal set 2006 47.41.
Women walker Barbara McGuire set 2006 1.14.10.
Some very impressive names indeed.