Oct 22 Update

Winter running is now over (even though winter isn't ) . Track has begun (even though opening day was cancelled by cold weather ) . There are plenty of runs to keep you all going over the coming months . Also scroll down to view some major changes in age grading for National Comps (effective from Nov 1)

Club of the Year (COTY) structure could change radically if this remit is adopted at the CC&R AGM ON Nov 13.  CHCH Avon certainly is doing well under the current structure ,but there are also compelling reasons that argue against the proposed changes :

1- Phil Costley instituted the award and prescribed the structure with considerable wisdom to the end of promoting uniform growth of the sport.The current setup encourages the sport to grow in the important age range (15- 35)

2- Having a separate U15 competition risks a 'little league' scenario where children are burned out by over -training and over -zealous parents .Childrens competition should not be seen as an end in itself , but rather as the stock of skilled and enthusiastic athletes who will eventually take their places in the older grades. 

A possible improvement to the present structure would be along the lines of one suggested for the NRR, viz, to alter the points weightings assigned to the various grades such that the 15 -35 age grades are favoured slightly more .This would provide impetus to growth in this most important area.

Consideration of Remit:     

The Sumner Club have put forward the following Motions:

Motion 1 – “That the Club of the Year competition be altered to be an adults competition (grade 15 and older) and a separate children's (grade 14 & under) competition”.

Rationale: If this is done then clubs such as Phoenix can participate in the children's event and clubs like Methodist can participate in the adults section. It would also make it more interesting for clubs who do not have a large number of people running across a lot of grades. A second trophy would be needed.

Motion 2 – “ That the initial number of teams needed to score in each Club of the Year competition be reduced from 4 teams to 3 teams, then clubs with two teams be scored, followed by clubs with one team.”

Rationale: If Motion 1 is passed, then the number of counting teams would need to be reduced as there would be fewer grades to count in each competition. If motion 1 is lost, we would withdraw Motion 2.

             

If you have any thoughts on this pass them on to me (Mike ).

 

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Following on from the Akaroa relay -

"On behalf of the Cross Country and Road Committee, I would like to thank you and your club for your help with duties at the Takahe to Akaroa Relay. It is only with the support of the Clubs that we are able to continue with its running. Could you please pass on my thanks to those club members who gave of their time.

Also if you or any of them have any suggestions in how we can improve the event in the future, or any problems you came across, please feel free to pass those suggestions onto me.

Yours faithfully,

Daniel Reese

Race Director "
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Greymouth 2 Person relay -
Iain and I were really looking forward to our annual trip to Greymouth this year (Oct 13 ) but we were disappointed . The predicted weather bomb was as bad as they said it would be .The Passes were closed and it would have been hellish weather in Greymouth even if we had got through . Thanks to the race organisers and the Sundowner motel who both waived cancellation fees .By golly we were fit too
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CHCH Avon hosted the final 12 -23 'Teen ' run on Sunday October 21. A rare lovely morning probably contributed to the high turn-out (approx 35 runners ) .
Catering for events where you dont have RSVP's to plan from is always tricky and it's best to err on the side of excess . John Ingles opted for a different approach : he waited until the kids  turned up and had set off on their run , then raced off to the supermarket to purchase the eatables .This approach made the food preparation phase a bit rushed, but the team of five volunteers made it . About 40 sausages , fried onions and buttered bread were made .Then three bowls of lovely fruit salad made from fresh ingredients were slopped together . A few boxes of muesli-grain and several caraffes of fruit juice were set out in time for the first kids to emerge from the forest . The food looked so good we were getting enquiries from the general public .It was tempting to sell some but that would have risked being branded a commercial enterprise . But once all the kids had come in they ate all the sausages and drank all the juice .It was a successful event : the kids were from lots of different clubs and all sat together recovering and discussing their goals etc . John I, Vic , Sandie ,Gary , Therese and I all had a good morning in the 'kitchen ' .
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Keep an eye out for Auckland Marathon results this Sunday because ARJ and Rich Seigne are up there .Andrew was looking for a CHA mesh singlet to borrow to optimise his chances in the muggy weather up there .

Laura Wood continues her triathlon improvement with a 4th place in the 20-23 Womens grade of the recent ITU World round in Auckland . She did the full Olympic distance and got second fastest swim and run times .This is quite an achievement. RESULTS

Robyn's name popped up in the Hanmer Duathlon event (Oct 13 ) .She was 2nd I think in her division so had obviously brushed up on her biking skills.

Looking way ahead to next year's Riverside relay.The Old Boys United Club has been hosting this  race with CHCH Avon assistance ,but this was the final year under that arrangement as their club members are getting older and fewer .Pap Toc -H , who do the associated Junior relay , are tipped to  be taking over the Senior one as well .This is all unofficial though .

There have been three 5 km races held on successive Wednesdays :RESULTS:


Over the three races Matt Dryden did 16.06 and 16.02 !
Cameron Avery -17.03
Latham Fairhall - 18.39 and 18.46
Nick Merrett -16.18 (getting back to form)
Rich Seigne- 16.59 (not bad pre -marathon form)
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"To All Clubs and Centres

The changes to the Championship Age Grades and Names and Eligibility By-Laws as proposed by the Rules Committee and previously circulated to all Clubs and Centres were considered by the Board at the 19 October 2012 board meeting.

Following the standard 50 day consultation period, the Rules Committee reviewed all of the feedback received and recommended that the proposed changes be adopted.

The Board confirmed the changes, effective from 1 November 2012 so they are effective for the major part of the 2012-13 Track & Field season.

The key changes:

1.   Athletics New Zealand will adopt the IAAF age-grade groupings and names for Athletics New Zealand Championships. The grades for the Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Championships will be

a.    Senior

b.    Junior / Under 20 (at 31 December in the year of competition). Replaces M/W 20 grade.

c.    Youth / Under 18 (at 31 December in the year of competition).  Replaces M/W 17 grade.

2.    A Championship Standards Committee will be formed to set and review the minimum standards for entry into the NZ Track and Field Championships. This committee will include Track and Field selectors and the Athletics NZ Statistician. The standards for the 2013 Track & Field and Combined Events championships will be set and published by 31 December 2012.

3.    A new set of  minimum ages has been set for competitors in all Championship Grades including the Marathon, Half Marathon, Mountain Running), Road walk championships. The only NZ Championship event not affected by these changes is the Road Relay.

The change will bring Athletics New Zealand more in line with the IAAF and other countries (including those in the southern hemisphere). It will also simplify and clarify who is eligible for each grade in the various Athletics New Zealand Championships.

These By-Laws control the grades and eligibility for Athletics New Zealand Championships only and do not stipulate what competition grades must be used for competitions outside those championships (eg Centre Championships, league / interclub meetings and open events).

Centres and clubs are free to decide on the competition grades for their own competitions and championships, but to reduce possible confusion it is recommended that all event organisers (Centres, Clubs etc.) use the new names and their definitions as set out in the By-laws and the Athletics NZ Supplementary Rules to the IAAF Competition Rules.

[Athletics New Zealand records are not related to competition grades and will be unaffected by the changes].

The updated Competition By-Laws with detailed eligibility for Athletics New Zealand championships can be found  HERE  (after 2 November 2012).

As an explanation the birth year of competitors in the various grades at the 2013 NZ Championships is shown below.

NZ Track & Field and Combined Events Championships

Subject to the athlete achieving the required standard, to compete in the:

·         Senior grade an athlete must be born in 1998 or earlier.

·         Junior grade an athlete must have been born in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 or 1998.

·         Youth grade an athlete must have been born in 1996, 1997 or 1998.

NZ Cross Country and the NZ Road Championships

To compete in the:

·         Senior grade an athlete must be born in 1996 or earlier.

·         Junior grade an athlete must have been born in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 or 1998.

·         Youth grade an athlete must have been born in 1996, 1997 or 1998.

·         B-U15 or G-U15 grade an athlete must have been born in 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002.

·         B-U13 or G-U13 grade an athlete must have been born in 2001 or 2002

NZ Road Relay Championships

To compete in the:

·         Senior grade an athlete must be born in 1996 or earlier.

·         Junior grade an athlete must have been born in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 or 1999.

NZ Mountain Running Championships

To compete in the:

·         Senior grade an athlete must be born in 1995 or earlier.

·         Junior grade an athlete must have been born in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 or 1998.

NZ Half-Marathon Championships and 20km Walk Championships

To compete in the:

·         Senior grade an athlete must be born in 1995 or earlier.

NZ Marathon Championships and 50km Walk Championships

To compete in the:

·         Senior grade an athlete must be born in 1993 or earlier. Includes Men’s and Women’s Grades."

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 Here is a really interesting race for downhill specialists to consider .I cant determine whether the road is asphalt or shingle .

Sunday 16th December 2012

[Enter online -Maps - More info]

A DASH FOR CASH

6KM DOWNHILL RUN WINNER TAKES ALL

CASH PRIZES FOR FIRST MALE & FEMALE

The Alpine Holiday Homes DownHill Dash runs from Jacks Pass Summit, high above Hanmer Springs, descending Clarence Valley Road for approximately 6km to the picturesque alpine village of Hanmer Springs.

Race Date : Sunday 16^th December 2012

Enquiries can be emailed to graham@hanmerevents.co.nz or ring Graham Frith on 03 315 5009 between 8am and 9.30pm.

Entries: On line entry can be made up to Thursday 13^th December by clicking HERE

Entry forms can be downloaded HERE and must be received prior to the closing date of Wednesday 12^th December 2012. Please allow 2 days for the post to reach Hanmer!!

Cheques to “Hanmer Springs Multi Sport Club” please.

Or Online Banking to: Hanmer Springs Multi Sport Club Acc. No.: 020876 0136404 02

Entry Fee : DownHill Dash $20 Seniors $15 Juniors (<18 on race day)

Entry confirmation: Entries received by post will be confirmed by email only.

Refunds will be given up to the closing date of Wednesday 12^th December, less $10 admin fee. No refunds will be given after this date.

Entry on the day will be available at registration for an extra cost of $10

Registration will be at Monteiths Brewery Bar on Amuri Ave from 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Friday 14^th December, at Registration Desk on Saturday or the start area from 9.00am –10.00 am on Sunday.

NB If you register it will be assumed you will start the race. This is an important safety issue. Please do not register and then not start the race.

Indemnity Forms: must be completed and signed at Registration. Every competitor must sign this form. Junior competitors must have their form signed by a parent / caregiver.

Shuttles to Start: We ask that all race vehicles are off the road by 10.30am to allow for a clear race route.

Race brief will take place the Start Line 15 minutes before Start Time. All competitors must be present at this.

Start time for the Alpine Holiday Homes DownHill Dash will be at 10.30.

Prize giving will be at the Hanmer Springs Sports Pavilion immediately after the race.

Accommodation: See www.alpineholidayhomes.co.nz for details.

Extreme weather conditions i.e. strong winds or snow may mean it is unsafe to run the race on the planned route. The organisers reserve the right to alter the course at short notice, or withhold entry fees and offer an alternative date.

Race Conditions:

• All competitors, fully understanding all the inherent hazards, compete at their own risk.
• The organisers will not accept liability for any personal injury or mishap during the event that is caused by the competitor’s actions, inaction, negligence or unacceptable behaviour.
• All competitors must read, understand and accept the possible hazards associated with this event.
• All Alpine Holiday Homes DownHill Dash competitors must be of sufficient fitness to complete the course that they enter.
• The organisers reserve the right to withdraw from the race any competitor who shows signs of severe fatigue or injury during the race.
• All competitors must dress sufficiently for the conditions and weather likely to be experienced during the race. Remember Hanmer Springs is an alpine village and weather conditions change very rapidly. All competitors must carry sufficient gear for the conditions and weather likely to be experienced during the race.
• Race officials must be obeyed and have the right to stop the race or disqualify any competitor.
• Competitors must follow the route as described and marked by the organisers. Your race numbers must be attached to your chest.
• No litter is to be dropped on the course.
• All competitors must attend the race brief.
• All competitors must sign the indemnity form, which states that you have read, understood and agree to these conditions of entry.