Sept 4 2013 update

A short account of travels to NZ Road Champs in Dunedin with photos and latest news on the relays coming up ...
Greta Valley relay ( 21 st Sept ) - I only have one senior team on paper at the moment :

1-John P
2- Ants R
3-Robyn P
4 -Mike V
5- Iain C
6- Gary P

Reserves :

Craig E
Neil Gilmour

 There are also enough Junior Men for TWO teams  .

Daniel
Sean
Jacob
Cameron
Latham
Chris D
Angus
Harriet B
Matt P
Rainer Pye
Nat Dryden
Matt D

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Governors Bay 10 km handicap Sat  Sept 14th  - Entries have already gone in for this.
Travel details discussed this week .
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Takahe/Akaroa relay October 5 th -  A few withdrawls are starting to arrive, so our team strategies may need to change .

-Bob hasn't been able to secure his family team so will rejoin the general pool of runners .He would like to run Lap 4 in the social relay so will need five spare runners to join him .

- Greg B , Dave T and Rob H are no longer available in the M50 pool .Our hopes of a possible medalling team are receding slightly .

-The Junior Womens team has been boosted by the addition of Harriet Bush  . Jessica can't run and we are awaiting a dispensation application for Lorna (arrived but Lorna now unavailable anyway ).

-There should be plenty of talent for one strong Junior Mens team , and quite possibly a second.

-We have a pool of quite good runners who have no dedicated team to join,  so we will probably assemble a mixed Sen Mens team .

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Opening night for Junior Athletics this year will be Wed 16 th October . Registration night will be on the Monday 14 th October between 5 and 6.30 pm at the Clubrooms near tennis courts off Greers Rd.

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Results are already out for the Timaru 5 lap relay (formerly "Round the Gorges " ). Good to see the event was well attended by local and visiting clubs with quite a number from Christchurch .This will give the local organizing club (Aorangi)  encouragement to keep hosting the event . Hopefully, even a return to the familiar "Gorges" format will make a return .

Results 

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News of Sean and Cameron' s great runs in the Australian Sec Schools Cross Country Champs came through as we were eating dinner in Dunedin on Saturday night (Aug 31 ) .This event was in Launceston Tasmania .

The course was a testing 6km with some surface water . Craig was in Australia on work related matters so didnt actually see his son and Cam run. He later observed that Sean had produced his best ever finish without paternal support ...hmmmm . For the record Sean had been graded 6th best of the NZ entrants,  but finished 2nd best and 5th overall in the race .Cameron was only 25 seconds behind to score 20th overall .These were incredible finishes in a country that we all know produces very good runners (and lots of them ) .Apparently they had a really good time away .Congratulations fellas.

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- NZ Road Champs -Dunedin August  31 2013
Fifteen CHA runners ran and nine of them won medals of some sort ( team or individual) with some getting more than one medal .

The weather in Dunedin over the whole weekend was spectacular .It was frosty in the morning but sunny and very pleasant during the days .I had forgotten that it actually is a 'city' and found being there a very favorable contrast to the mess that Christchurch  is in now . Locals were on their porches in summer gear and students played in the parks in bare feet .
       At 8 am on the Saturday it was still quite chilly at the race HQ outside the Forsyth Barr stadium .Many runners did their warming up inside the stadium. It was was an impressive place to be in .It is totally covered by a blurry plastic shell which is held up by a network of white tubular struts of various diameters . Mobile banks of orange lights were shining on the grass (strangely reminding me of those Shane Warne hair studio ads )
     At the rear of the complex was the Plaza cafe where we had some lunch later in the day while watching other races go past .
       The course was a 2 km circuit surrounding the stadium with a 1 km loop to allow the 3 and 5 km races .There was one hairpin turn and some shallow rises, which were perceived as ' hills' by some .A light breeze seemed viscous at some points of the course (air gains 10 % density with a 10 degree drop in temp )

       The first events were the walks, where Courteney Ruske was guaranteed a gold medal in her 5 km U20 grade - she is pre-eminent in the grade .She went out to get a good time though and missed a NZ record by approx 2 seconds - if the ground had been free of channels and culverts she might have got it .

Next race was the Junior and Veteran Women 5km .This was where we got to see the amazing Sally Gibbs .

The amazing Sally Gibbs 

She won this in 17 mins 15 secs (as a VW50 ) and later ran in the Senior Womens 10 km race to claim 3rd in 35 mins 10 seconds ! Gabrielle O' Rourke did the double as well, but Gibbs outshone even her .
    Robyn Perkins had an ideal run  .Robyn had visualised a best and worst case scenario before the race: the best one eventuated . She knew that about six runners were within 20 seconds of each other in ability and outran five of them (and almost six ) .She got 3rd to claim the VW45 bronze medal in 20 mins18. But it wasnt by good luck - Robyn explained how she had optimised all the things she could control in the week before the race .
    The Canterbury Womens team were also awarded Bronze team medals, but in one of the vicissitudes of the sport they were taken back : (
      The next event was the Youth Men 6km where several CHCH Avon lads were in Canterbury rep singlets .With Sean and Cameron over in Tasmania this was a gift for either Matt Prest ,Latham, Tannock , Jake or Angus to choose what medal they wanted . Of course it wasn't that easy (! ) as there were many talented runners in the field .

Early in 6km race with Stadium behind 

Our men were always near the front, but by lap 3 Matt Prest had made a break and was running very competently . He carried on to take out the title with Tannock and Jacob also in the top five .

                                Matt chatting with coach Barry Magee after his medal winning run .

                                                           Angus had a good run .

                                            Tannock and Jacob leading the chase group .

                                                    Latham had a good run

The next race was the Veteran Mens 10 km where we had Richard Seigne, Richie Merrett Iain ,Gary and myself in the field . Looking around before the start I speculated to Gary that of the sixty present there wouldn't be many behind us .It turned out so . In fact Gary even got ahead of me early on as we chased Iain .Five laps was hard going especially with the viscous breeze.. and that nasty rise in front of the stadium.. and that chilly sunless section behind it . Each lap we got to see Richard Seigne engaged in a dogfight with a Southland runner who was tucking in very close behind him .  Richie Merrett wasn't having a good time just out of his flu - but still on sub 39 pace as a VM50 . Iain had a steady effort and pushed the pace near the end to get 43.36 and a precious M60 Bronze medal .Iain generously observed there were only three in his grade ( but they were good ones ) . Richard Seigne later related how his battle with Ricky Gutsell had resulted in a great time of 34 mins 39 , but also a narrowly missed Gold medal. He was typically philosophical about his adversary's tactics (I wouldn't have been !) 

                                 Lifeless CHA Vet (me ) finishes his 10 kms 

        Next we watched Canterbury runners do well in the J /Mens 8km event .One noticeable absence was Matt Dryden from the field .Matt would almost certainly have medalled in this race, but we later learned he was honoring a prior engagement, and everyone agreed this was a noble action.
        Matt's brother Chris made up for things by blitzing his U15 Boys event .Chris smoked around the 3 km as we have become used to seeing him do ,and won a NZ title for himself (9 min 51 !)  .                     

     We watched the remaining events from seats in the sun at the Plaza cafe where very good food and coffee was available . Richard sat down to his first meal of the day at about 1.30 pm  - he said he never eats before a 10 km. It must be noted that he ate what could only be considered a hi cholesterol meal - but he is an MD as well as a top veteran runner so ....  . We chatted to NickI McF who gave us her picks for the senior titles ( pretty spot-on ) and also caught up with Dave Catherwood and Zach Butler .Dave ran in the main race and clocked a creditable  sub 34 min effort ...

Ex CHA , now Dunedin resident ,Dave Catherwood completes his 10 kms .

     The main race was a combined Mens and Womens 10km .The racing was top flight with mens winning times in the low 30s and Camille Buscombe taking the Womens title in  34 .22
As already mentioned Sally Gibbs and Gabbie O'Rourke ran in this with Gibbs recording an incredible  35 min 19 time .
    The weather for the rest of the afternoon was stunning and we four flatmates separated to do our own things .I walked into town to have a look round .I found Dunedin to be the most charming place . Even found an ATM dispensing nz banknotes . Later I trekked up to the Botanic Gardens aviary and saw the most impressive big colored parrots and macaws (not richie mcCaw ) .
     At night Iain declined to join the Canterbury group at the Turkish Pasha restaurant . About 25 of us had a very enjoyable meal . It was Turkish style food cooked in a NZ way , but very nice , and the service was great.  Iain and his daughter went to a Lone Star instead . Our lift back to the motel (Iain ) didn't arrive , so Robyn and I had to walk the whole way back .A long day on the feet .
     Next morning was frosty again, but soon smoothed out into another perfect day . I hate running in the cold and in the morning , but we managed a 45 min recovery jog around the hill suburbs before breakfast . We travelled back to ChCh by easy stages through Oamaru ,Timaru and Ashburton .
      A really enjoyable and valuable trip away .Thanks to Iain for booking things and doing all the driving . All sorts of interesting things are learned about your companions on these trips ... but  " what goes on tour stays on tour " .

                                 Tropical motel setting , 10 am Sunday morning .

some more photos later ....



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GRETA VALLEY RELAY - 

We are now strongly looking for entries to  this relay : email me (Mike ) asap.

The Junior Men are possibly putting two teams of six in as part of their Selection processes and build-up to Akaroa ,which follows two weeks after.

I'd like to see at least one other team do this ; so fill in the form you got recently or email me.

GRETA VALLEY  RELAY   Date:                       Saturday, 21st September 2013 Time:                      (Provisional Start times) 9.45am an then at 15 minute intervals Start Venue:            Meet at Greta Valley Tavern Car Park  Finish Venue:           Greta Valley Tavern carpark Distance:                 42.2km Entries:                   $90 per team plus estimated team time                   Travel north through Amberley to Greta Valley, 60 minutes from Christchurch. All teams to meet at the Greta Valley Tavern car park. Each team is to have only one vehicle on the course, all teams will proceed from the car park to the start 1km away.  COURSE: This is a loop course on sealed and unsealed roads. This is a view of the countryside around the Greta Valley Relay.  Lap 1               4.6km– Slight uphill, sharp downhill, flatish, short uphill then   down to finish at corner of Glendhu Road. Runners to remain on the right hand side of road at all times. Lap 2               7.9km – mildly undulating, 2 small humps followed by a 1km steep climb then downhill to finish. Runners to remain on right hand side of road until directed to change on a short straight after the first hump. Lap 3               7.5km – gentle downhill (left into Happy Valley Rd), mild  undulations, short sharp uphill (end of seal), mild undulations, gradual uphill 1.5km then slight downhill to finish. Runners to remain on left hand side while on seal, then as far left as practical on unsealed roads to allow traffic to pass. Lap 4          8.2km – gentle downhill, 3 sharp gullies (down & up for 3km), mild undulations then gradual uphill to finish at corner Glendhu Rd and Happy Valley Road. Completely unsealed – except in the 3 gullies, runners to keep as far left as practical on unsealed roads to allow traffic to pass. Lap 5          8.0km – starts downhill then 5 steep roller coaster hills before finishing downhill where lap 1 finished. Unsealed – except on steep climbs, runners to keep as far left as practical on unsealed roads to allow traffic to pass. Lap 6         6.0km – reverse of lap 1 to start, then continue downhill to Greta Valley Tavern intersection, turn left then uphill for 200m to finish at the back entrance to the tavern car park. Runners will stay to the left at all times. PRIZES: There are three major prizes to the value of $300 each plus a number of spot prizes as well. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 A message from Greymouth on the West Coast :

" Please make a note that our annual relays (fka '2 person relay')  will again be held on the second Saturday in October (12th October 2013 one week after Akaroa).

As usual we will have lots of whitebait, West Coast hospitality and hopefully lots of lovely West Coast sunshine (sorry about last year).

We hope to have the entry forms out within the next few weeks. Our graphic artist is currently on safari in South Africa."

Regards

Tony Gibson

Secretary

Greymouth Harrier Club 

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CHUKA'S RUN :

Sunday November 3

"   Chucka's Run is an run that I arrange each year to give people training for the Kepler a chance to do a good long run one month out and is also good for those that like a good run offroad which this is. There are two distances the first which is 28km and the second which is 35km. I organise a bus which will leave from Hansen Park at 8am and head out to our starting point which is the Hilltop Tavern, we make one stop at Little River on the way. The run starts by going aling the Summit Road for about 400m before we turn left into a track which takes us above the bush line where we will regroup and head off on our journey across the tops and we will split into packs at the first style.

        Both courses go the same way along the tops and up to the top of Mount Herbert and from here they go different ways the 28km goes down to Diamond Harbour where the bus will be waiting and the 35km goes past the Mount Herbert Shelter and from around Mount Bradley using the back track which should be cleared of gorse so they tell me to the Packhorse Hut and from there to Gebbies Pass and down the road for a couple of kms to the finish at Teddingten Tavern where the bus will end up.

You need to carry some gear in case the weather changes and the cost is only $25.

If you want to come aling for a great day I can be contacted by e-mail chucka@clear.net.nz or 9808395 or 0273587153."

Chucka (Peter Bayliss)

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" Are you ready to play?

You’re invited to the South Island Masters Games, 5-13 October in Nelson.  Over 3,000 participants, over 50 sports across 9 days.  You don’t need to qualify or belong to a club you just have to be old enough and for most sports that’s 30 years.  In addition to the sporting events there are themed party nights, daily live music and a bar and cafe at the games village.  Registration is now open.  View the full programme and for more information go to www.simasters.co.nz.  See you in sunny Nelson!

Additionally we have other marketing material for the event available such as entry books, small flyers and larger posters, should you want any for your offices, or any of your members, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Kind Regards,

Jane Miles

Events Organiser

Sport Tasman

142 Saxton Road East, Stoke

PO Box 3197, Richmond, Nelson 7050

events@sporttasman.org.nz

ddi: 03 9232317 ext 317  |  web: www.sporttasman.org.nz    "

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