Mt Vernon Grand Traverse 2019

Marlborough Harrier Club organized the iconic Marlborough event for the community of Marlborough. This year it was held on Sunday 9^th June 2019.
There were 3 races people could enter.
The main event Mt Vernon Grand Traverse 18km which took you to the top of the Wither Hills skyline with its peak on Mt Vernon.
Next was the Mt Vernon fun run walk 11km which took you up Sutherland Stream ending up joining the main race course.
Of course the children needed a challenge so their race was along the base of the Wither Hills on an out and in course total 2km.
The conditions of the course was the best we have had for many years so records were on the line on all events.
The day started off – 2 degrees with frost for the organisers who were out there setting up at 6am. By the time racing started it had warmed up to a toasty 12 degrees but different on the ridges with the wind chill factor.
Still runners and walkers are a hardy bunch with smiles all round at the finish.

Results

MT VERNON TRAVERSE

George Varney, a Club Member and student at Marlborough Boys College took line honours in the 18km Grand Traverse Men in a time of 1:12:05 beating his last years’ time of 1:16:04. In doing so he beat the course record of 1:13:24 set in 2012 by Jeremy McKenzie. Not too far behind was Sam Hansby in 1:13:23. Sam also broke the record by 0:00:01. He was followed by Harry Carrick in 1:20:18.

In the women’s race Megan Graham came in first in a time of 1:21:37 and 5^th overall beating her own course records of 1:23:04 set in 2016. Katie Malthus second in 1:1:36:20 and Jeanette Landers third in 1:40:36.

11KM FUN RUN/WALK

In the 11km fun Run/Walk men, Philip Taylor blitzed the field in a time of 0:50:33 but not beating the course record set by Jeremy McKenzie 0:47:31 in 2016. Lucan Orchard followed in 0:56:31 and Andrew Gifford third in 0:59:16.

In the 11km women’s race Lucy Harman was first in 0:58:50 and 3^rd overall breaking the course record last held by Emily Marfell 0:59:43 set in 2018. Not bad for a 16-year-old. Second was Cat Manson in 0:59:18 and third Robyn Deane in 1:01:07.

KIDS CHALLENGE

In the 2km Kids Challenge girls Katherine de Zwart took line honours in 0:09:36 with Katie Pugh in 0:9:36 sharing 1^st place and third Melody Johnston in 0:11:07.

For 2km Kids Challenge boys Cashel King won in 0:10:32, Corbinian Merkle 2^nd in 0:10:43 and Joel Laurance third in 0:10:56.

A huge thank you to the Volunteers spending their time doing what was needed to be done, Competitors of all ages in all grades and all our very generous sponsors.

See you all 2020.