News

In this week’s newsletter:

• First Up

• Wellington Cross Country Champs Results

• Will’s Triple WUU2K For Cancer

• Club AGM And Board Vacancies

• Entries Open For NZ Road Champs

• World Champs Results

• Otago Cross Country Results

• Team Chosen For NZ XC Champs

• Wellington XC Champs Junior Results

• Road Season Awaits

• Upcoming Junior Events

• Volunteers Needed For Children’s Asthma Study

• Needle Relay Volunteers Needed

• Upcoming Events

 

First Up

What great runs by Sarah Drought and Nathan Tse on Sunday to take out the Senior Women’s and Senior Men’s titles at the Wellington Cross Country Champs. In the end, each of their wins over the 10k distance was comfortable with Sarah (37:49) winning by 28 seconds and Nathan (32:32) by 49 seconds.

There was some good depth as well, with Esther George (38:17) finishing second to Sarah in the SW race and Ryan McAlister (34:15) finishing third in the SM.

Hopefully the organisers will rethink how the winner of the SM race gets to take home a huge shield while the winning SW doesn’t get anything beyond the standard medal. But we got a picture of both Sarah and Nathan holding the shield as equally deserving winners!

Hats off to a monumental effort by Will Bell over the weekend to complete the first-ever triple WUU2K to raise money to fight cancer. That’s 126km of running with 5800m of elevation. Wow. There’s a link below to his blog for a detailed account which is well worth reading.

Congratulations also to Magnus Monahan, who was third in 21km event at WUU2K, finishing in 2:12:56.

If you are interested in getting more involved in the club, there are some opportunities to take on a leadership role. The board is looking for a new secretary, a marketing manager, and a track-and-field manager.

WHAC’s Quentin Rew said he was disappointed in his World Champs result in Eugene, Oregon, but wants to make amends at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. He is an amazing athlete no matter what. More on that below.

For future newsletter items or suggestions, please email Nick Perry: nickgbperry@gmail.com

Sarah Drought and Nathan Tse at the Wellington XC Champs. Photo: Nick Perry

 

Wellington Cross Country Champs Results

Congratulations to everybody who ran. Those who finished in the top three in their age groups included:

Poppy Healy 1st GU16 4k (15:42), Lulu Davies 2nd WU18 5k (21:03), Saskia Cosgrove Drayton 1st WU20 6k (23:30), Sarah Drought 1st SW 10k (37:49), Esther George 2nd SW (38:17), Nat Hardaker 3rd MW35 10k (45:07), Vickie Humphries 2nd MW50 5k (22:18).

Xavier James 2nd BU14 2k (6:58), Nathan Tse 1st SM 10k (32:32), Ryan McAlister 3rd SM (34:15), Nick Perry 3rd MM50 10k (39:10), Brian Hayes 2nd MM70 5k (24:44)

Winning Teams: Open Women: Sarah Drought, Esther George, Andrea Peat, Nat Hardaker. Masters Men 60-69: Dave Heatley, Paul May, Peter Wood, Peter Corbett.

More on Nathan’s and Sarah’s wins on the Athletics Wellington site here

 

Will’s Triple WUU2K For Cancer

From Will Bell

On Friday night at 9pm, I set off to run all three WUU2K distances back-to-back (21K, 42K and 63K) as a fundraiser for the Cancer Society. It was an ambitious goal, especially as I tried to tie in with the start of the 63K event as my third leg.

It was an emotional rollercoaster with plenty of highs & lows. But I’m happy to say that after 20 and a half magical hours, I crossed the finish line to complete the first known “Triple WUU2K”. It was a deeply humbling experience and I’m so grateful for the chance to go on this adventure. It ended up being 126km with 5800m of elevation.

I’m blown away by the support we’ve received for Will’s Ks for Cancer with over $2000 raised for the Cancer Society (and counting). If you’d like donate please go to: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/wills-ks-for-cancer

If you’d like to read more about the adventure, you can check out my blog over at: https://willirun.wordpress.com/2022/07/19/triple-wuu2k/.

Club AGM And Board Vacancies

From Melissa Black

The club’s Annual General Meeting for 2022 will be held at the clubrooms at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, 22 August. The AGM is open to all WHAC members and affiliates and includes the presentation of the Annual Report, Financial reports, election of the Board of Directors for the next year, nominations for Life Members and Honorary Members. It is also a chance to have your say or express your thoughts on aspects of the club.

Every year, those who are wanting to stand on the WHAC Board of Directors submit a nomination at the AGM. There are 15 members on the WHAC Board of Directors, encompassing a variety of roles. While there are sections leaders (i.e. Track and Field Manager, Harrier Manager, Children’s Manager etc), there are spaces on the Board for members who do not have a specific role and want to hone their governance skills. The Board has a couple of current members stepping down this year, so there is availability for new members.

Through being a member on the Board, you are able to contribute to the workings of the club, including, but not limited to: Event development and promotion, Club development and strategic plan, Membership and recruitment, Club finances, and Funding opportunities and applications.

Our current Board members and their roles:

John Barrance – President
Melissa Black – Secretary
Gordon Clarke – Buildings and Maintenance
Frank Evett – Finance
Esther George – Grants and Sponsorship
Paul Hewitson – Harriers
Louis Hogan
Vickie Humphries
Jean Kozyniak – Coaching
Todd Krieble – Chairperson
Bertram Manz – Membership and Uniforms
Julie Richards – Children
Nathan Tse – Marketing
Jack Waterworth – Track and Field
Georgina Wedge – Health and Safety
Upcoming Vacancies: 

Secretary: Club Secretary has a number of responsibilities within the club which include: minute taking, scheduling board meetings and preparing the agenda, club correspondence, filing and maintenance of key club documentation.

Track and Field Manager: Acts as point of contact for club Track and Field enquiries, communicating with athletes regarding upcoming Track and Field events and entries.

Marketing Manager: The club is looking for a keen individual to help develop this role. Key responsibilities will include: Coordinating social media, developing the club website, developing new marketing ideas to help recruit new members and promote the club.

 

Entries Open For NZ Road Champs

From Athletics Wellington

Entries for the NZ Road Champs, which Athletics Wellington is hosting at Heretaunga on 4 September, are now open:

https://2022nzroadracechamps.eventdesq.com/

The entry fee for members of Athletics Wellington clubs is reduced to $20. When entering, members are asked to “Enter a Pin Code”. Here are the codes which members need to enter:

U14 = $10 off pin code WGTC1

U16,18, 20 = $20 off pin code WGTC2

U23 = $25 off pin code WGTC3

Seniors + Masters 35-64 = $35 off pin code WGTC4

Masters 65+ = $20 off pin code WGTC5

The discounted entry fee is only available to members of AW clubs.

Please share these pin codes with your grades, as well as encouraging them to enter.
Note that all competitors must enter themselves (by the deadline of 28 August), and those selected for the AW representative team will be reimbursed by AW for their $20 entry fee.  The AW representative team will be selected from members that have completed the EOI by 19 August: https://2022wintereoi.eventdesq.com/

 

World Champs Results

WHAC’s Quentin Rew finished 35th in the 20km race walk in 1hr 29min 19sec in a race won by Japan’s Toshikazu Yamanishi in 1:19:07. On Facebook, Quentin wrote: My first 15 global races (1 at Commonwealth Games, 4 at World Cups, 4 at Olympic Games, and 6 at World Championships) yielded 14 results I’m proud of. Unfortunately the time has finally come that I had a bad race in a major competition. I don’t really know what went wrong, but I’m fit, healthy and injury-free, and I’ll make amends at Commonwealth Games in three weeks time.

Facebook link is here

Meanwhile, Kiwi sprinter Eddie Osei-Nketia smashed his father’s 28-year-old national record in the 100m heats to finish in 10.08. More here

And fellow kiwi sprinter Zoe Hobbs broke her own Oceania women’s 100m record to finish in 11.08 in the 100m heats. More here

 

Otago Cross Country Results

From Timothy Dawbin

Liam Chesney and Paul Hewitson both raced (very well) in the Otago Cross Country Championships over the weekend. Liam came second in the SM 10km (though was not eligible for an Otago medal as a Wellington-registered athlete). Paul also came second in the MM50-64 8km (though was also not eligible for an Otago medal as a Wellington-registered athlete).

Full results can be found here: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=283473 

Liam Chesney in Otago. Photo from Timothy Dawbin.

 

Team Chosen For NZ XC Champs

Congratulations to the WHAC athletes chosen to represent Wellington at the National Cross Country Champs on July 30 in Taupo:

SM: Nathan Tse, Ryan McAlister, Liam Chesney

SW: Sarah Drought, Esther George, Andrea Peat, Natasha Rae

WU20: Saskia Cosgrove-Drayton

MU18: Conor Chesney

WU18: Lulu Davies

MM35: Dan Clendon

MM50: Paul Hewitson, Nick Perry

MW50: Vickie Humphries

Full list here

 

Wellington XC Champs Junior Results

From Geoff Henry

1 km Course                Grade               Time                      Place in

                                                                                           Grade

Layla Starr                         G 10             5:26                        10

 

2 km Course

Xavier James                     B 14              6:58                        1

Cameron Starr                   B 14              7:07                        3

Kingsley McGuigan           B 12              7:25                         5

Xanthe Wong                     G 14             7:42                         6

Daniella Starr                      G 14            8:06                         8

Aditya Panigrahy                B 12             8:47                        12

Barnaby Valsenti                B 12              8:47                        13

 

Road Season Awaits

From Paul Hewitson

As we venture into road season, the significance of club events such as the Resnick Cup (July 23) and the Old Boys Memorial Race (Sept. 10) serve as important markers and tempo runs. They are also an opportunity to catch up with other members at the clubrooms without the need to rush home after an interclub event.

Last year we broke a 14-year record with 37 runners for the 6.6 km handicap Resnick Cup and it would be great to get close to this number again. Hopefully, most families will have returned from a winter break. Looking forward to seeing you at the clubrooms by 2 p.m. on July 23.

 

Upcoming Junior Events

From Geoff Henry

We know that some of you will be away for the school holidays, but during the holidays and soon after there are some significant club and interclub events. To participate, athletes must be financial members and wear club singlets.

Saturday 23 July: Resnick Cup. This is a road handicap race from the Wind Needle, but we’ll meet at the Clubrooms as usual. This time you’ll do a staggered handicap start and the Under 10’s will also run half the distance (this is a handicapper’s nightmare!)

Saturday 30 July: Club run from the clubrooms. Some of the older athletes will be away at the NZ Cross Country Champs in Taupo.

Saturday 6 August: Club runs from the clubrooms.

Saturday 13 August: The Needle Relay. Our club hosts this on our Cobham and Hataitai waterfront. An interclub teams relay with events for: walkers (at 10:30 a.m) A 5km measured out-and-back course, without watches! Estimate your time and closest to their guess wins! (We call that a “Turkey Trot”) Juniors (aged 10 to 13 on race day) with grades for boys, girls and mixed. 1.6km laps along the Cobham Walkway. Under 20, Senior and masters, Men, Women and Mixed Teams from 1.00 p.m. with three 5km laps going one way (northwards), mixed with two 3 km laps going the other way (eastwards). Oh! And we also need helpers with marshalling on the day! Parents? Supporters? Injured Athletes?

 

Volunteers Needed For Children’s Asthma Study

From Melissa Black

The Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) is running this study to find out which of the following two inhalers/puffers is better at preventing asthma attacks in children with “mild” asthma:

More information: https://trials.mrinz.ac.nz/surveys/?s=XFL7DL98HD

Our study website: https://www.mrinz.ac.nz/currently-recruiting/care-study

Email: care@mrinz.ac.nz

Telephone: 027 327 1191 / +64 4 805 0201

 

Needle Relay Volunteers Needed

From Georgina Wedge

WHAC is hosting the interclub Needle Relay on Saturday 13th August. It is based from the Wind Needle at the corner of Cobham Drive and Evans Bay Parade. Marshals are required at various key points around Evans Bay Parade and on the footpath alongside Cobham Drive. Sector marshals will lead each team of marshals.

RELAY 1 at 12 p.m. is the Children’s Relay (ages 10-13 on race day). Please note: Parents of children running in this event are expected to do the marshalling for this race – thank you. There will be a race briefing for marshals at the Wind Needle prior to the Children’s Relay, which will be completed before 1.00pm. You are welcome to volunteer to marshal for both of the relays. 😊

REAY 2 at 1 p.m. is the main Needle Relay (ages 14 and over on race day). There will be a second race briefing for marshals at the Wind Needle prior to the main Needle Relay, which should be completed around 3 p.m.

If you can support the club and volunteer to marshal, please email Georgina Wedge: georgina@andersondesign.co.nz

 

Upcoming Events

 

JULY

23rd            Resnick Cup Road Race, clubrooms

24th (Sun)  Masters Road Race, Johnsonville

30th            Club runs/walks, clubrooms

30th            New Zealand Cross Country Champs, Taupo

31st (Sun)  New Zealand XC Champs relays, Taupo

 

AUGUST

6th              Club runs/walks, clubrooms

13th            Needle Relay (interclub), Evans Bay

15th            AGM (provisional), clubrooms

20th            NZ Mountain Running Champs, Queenstown

20th            Wellington Road Running Champs (interclub), Wainuiomata

21tst (Sun) Honest 10K, Freyberg

27th            Henderson Relay (U14), clubrooms

 

SEPTEMBER

3rd             Club runs/walks, clubrooms

4th (Sun)   New Zealand Road Championships NZCIS, Upper Hutt

10th           Old Boys Memorial Race, clubrooms

17th           Club runs/walks, clubrooms

17th           Rotorua Marathon (NZ Masters Champs), Rotorua

18th (Sun)  Honest 10K, Freyberg

18th (Sun)  Hutt Marathon Events (Wellington Marathon Champs TBC), Petone

24th            Club runs/walks, clubrooms

 

OCTOBER

School holidays October 1st -16th

1st              NZ Road Road Relays, Christchurch

8th              Club runs/walks, clubrooms

9th (Sun)    Masterton Marathon, Half, 10k, 5k, Masterton

15th            Bernie Potenski Memorial Handicap, Titahi Bay

16th (Sun)  New Zealand Half Marathon Champs, Cambridge

16th (Sun)  Honest 10K, Freyberg

16th (Sun)  NZ Trail Running Champs, Christchurch

23 (Sun)     Harrier Section annual meeting & Prize giving followed by afternoon tea (bring a plate) TBC, clubrooms

 

NOVEMBER

20th        Honest 10K, Freyberg

 

DECEMBER

18th         Honest 10K, Freyberg

 

 

WHAC Board Information

If you have ideas for the club or any questions, please contact a board member or the secretary, Melissa Black (secretary@whac.org.nz). Your board members are: John Barrance, Melissa Black, Gordon Clarke, Esther George, Paul Hewitson, Vickie Humphries, Jean Kozyniak, Bertram Manz, Julie Richards, Nathan Tse, Jack Waterworth, Georgina Wedge, Frank Evett, Louis Hogan and Todd Krieble.