King & Queen of the Withers 2016

This successful annual event was run on the Wither Hills Saturday 9th December 2016.
This year the Organisers decided to introduce online entries for the first time gaining 40 odd entries. This helped the lines at registration which started 7am. We had 142 finishers and 3 DNF.
The course takes you from the Rifle Range Carpark on the farm road to the base of Quail Stream then turns sharp right on the walking track to the base of the spur leading up to the Rotary Lookout. It then follows the skyline to past the Sutherland Stream track heading towards town until the trees then turn left running downhill until you meet the farm road, turn left and run back to Rifle Range Carpark finish. A distance of 10km. This course is challenging.

The race has options all over the same distance of the main race, hybrid which is a run/walk option and then the walkers.
The hybrid is for those that are not confident they can compete all the way running. This year those that finished under the 60 minutes were transferred to the main race as in the past we have had hybrid competitors coming in under the first 20 main race runner times.
Most coped with the hot, dry and windy conditions taking advantage of the water stops strategically placed along the course.
Stiff competition in all grades ensured some exciting finishes.
Results were:
Main 10km 1st Sam Hansby in 42.48 minutes and first Senior Man, 2nd Billy Hebberd in 44.23 minutes and 1st Vet Man home, 3rd Megan Craig 44.53 minutes and first Senior Woman home.
1st Marlborough Harrier Club member home was Robbie Barnes in 46.23 minutes claim the Denis Patchett Memorial trophy.
Hybrid 10km 1st home Jo Bray in 1.01.47 and 1st Vet Woman home, 2nd Catherine Snowden in 1.03.40 and 1st Senior Woman home and 3rd Haleigh Rayner in 1.05.49.
The highlight was seeing 8 year old Blake Hebberd come in at 31st place out of 51 in 1.18.58. A very creditable result for Blake.
Walking 10 km 1st Jonathon Martin in 1.17.05 and 1st Vet Man home, 2nd Helen Crampton in 1.27.36 and 1st Vet Woman, 3rd Rachel Watson in 1.29.58 and 1st Senior Woman.
Team event winners were Business House Rose Ag (Haleigh Rayner, John Kennedy, Megan Craig in a time of 2.37.00, Couples Nicola and Keiran Harris in a time of 2.06.13.
Thanks go to all competitors young and old for participating in this iconic race which has been going since 1977.
Thanks also to all organisers, officials enduring early starts, late finishes out in the hot day sun.
Thanks also to our sponsors being Wither Hills Winery (Main sponsor), AvantiPlus Blenheim and More FM.
Lastly thanks to the Management of the Wither Hills Farmpark for preparing the area so you could all enjoy the event.
Marlborough Harrier Club.