News

In this week’s newsletter:

• First Up

• Wellington Road Champs

• Honest 10K

• Old Boys’ Memorial Race Results

• Race Updates

• Advice For Exercising Under Level 2

• National Road Relays Update

• Helpers Needed For Children’s Athletics

• Club Discounts

• Upcoming Events 

 

First Up

Please note there were changes announced today to the Wellington Road Champs in Wainuiomata. There has been a fifth race added and tweaks to the timetable. The U16 girls and boys will now be running a 3.5K race instead of a 5K race, and the organisers are also asking anyone who thinks they’ll run over 38 minutes (instead of over 40) in the 10K to consider switching to the morning race — although please let them know first. There are more details here. And good luck to everyone who’s racing.

If you are not too exhausted from the road champs, on Sunday it’s the September edition of the Honest 10K. There’s an option to sign up ahead of time, with more details on that below. There are also some different protocols to remember under Level 2.

It was great to see a good turnout at the Old Boys’ race last weekend, which was the first opportunity to run together for a while.

Without trying to read the tea leaves too much, there are fewer options now for National Road Relays to go ahead after the prime minister today said Auckland would need to drop below Level 3 before the rest of the country could go to Level 1. It’s been a tough few weeks for Auckland and let’s hope they can get out of lockdown soon.

In the event that road relays are cancelled, Paul Hewitson wants to know who might be interested in a marathon-length ekiden race, broken into five laps. He and Mark Te Punga have mapped out a course. If you are interested, please email Hewi at kiwiquaker@xtra.co.nz

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

Last month’s Honest 10K

 

Wellington Road Champs

From Athletics Wellington

Athletics Wellington is hosting the annual Road Championships on Saturday (18 September) on the usual Reservoir Road, Wainuiomata course. All competitors need to be pre-entered and their are particular health and safety requirements under Level 2.

New Race Timetable:

• 10:15 a.m.      10km for 38min+ runners
• 12:00 p.m.       5km
• 1:10 p.m.         3.5km (U16) and 1km (U10)
• 2:00 p.m.         2.5km (children’s races)
• 2:45 p.m.         10km for sub 38min runners

Rules include: Reporting to the registration desk with your device to sign in and scan the Covid QR Event Code, avoiding queues where possible. The registration person will tick your name off on the pre-registration list. A horn will sound when it is time to sign in, stay in cars or use the pre-race area until you hear the horn (around 30 minutes before the start). This will signal when the previous event has departed from the venue. Leave as soon as possible after your race and warm-down.

For a full list of rules, click here

 

Honest 10K

This month’s Honest 10 is going ahead on Sunday. You will be required to scan the QR code and/or provide your email/phone number upon entry. Numbers will be restricted to 100 on a ‘first sign up, first in’ basis. We encourage you to pre-register for this month’s race by emailing the following details to Honest10@whac.org.nz: Name, Age, 5k or 10k, M/F, Phone number, Prepay Y/N

Options for payment are cash (on the day) or prepay. If you put Y for Prepay when you register via email, you will be emailed back your race number. Please use internet banking to transfer your $10 entry fee ($5 for 5k) to WHAC’s ASB account (12-3493-0058553-00) using H10 and your race number for the reference.  Eg. if your race number is 15 put “H10 15” so we can tick you off as having paid.

There will be no drinks provided so please bring your own water which can be refilled at the Freyberg Pool drink fountain. We’ll take your amazing finishing photos though. If you’d like to start early (8:15ish), just let us know when you register. For those who don’t pre-register, please be kind to others when signing up on the day by maintaining social distance and wearing a mask until you have been given your race number.

In courtesy to other footpath users, we also strongly encourage the use of a buff, wipes or a paper towel to use if you need to blow your nose clean. Some people even pin a hanky to their race singlets. Paper towels can last a marathon without disintegrating so are a good option.

In un-WHAC style we ask that you don’t hang around afterwards as there will be lots of other Wellingtonians out enjoying the waterfront and we don’t want to congregate in a busy area at this time. Let’s save that for October’s event when we’ll hopefully be in Level 1. Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

 

Old Boys’ Memorial Race Results

Congratulations to everybody who ran. There were more than 60 adults and juniors who participated, an excellent turnout.

In the U14 race, first place on handicap was won Portia Bennett. The fastest times were run by Xavier James (7:01) and Kennedy Corkin (7:28).

In the 6.4K race, first place on handicap was Dan Clendon. The fastest times were run by Nathan Tse (20:28) and Poppy Healy (24:49).

For full results, click here

 

Race Updates

• National Road Relays. These will only go ahead if Canterbury is in Alert Level 1. Each of the regions that attends will also need to be in Level 1. We’re hoping that means Wellington can attend but unfortunately it seems doubtful that Auckland teams will be able to attend.
• The Wellington Road Champs at Wainuiomata have been rescheduled to Sept. 18. They can be held under Level 1 or Level 2, with certain protocols in place. The Road Walking Champs have been cancelled.
• The Hutt Marathon has been rescheduled from Sept. 12 to a new date of Sept. 26. Remember that’s just six days before road relays (if they go ahead) so perhaps keep a bit in the tank if you’re planning to do both.
• The New Zealand Road Race Champs in Hamilton, originally scheduled for Sept. 5, have been postponed until Nov. 7.
• Newtown Park track has been reopened by the Wellington City Council.
• The New Zealand Secondary Schools Track & Field Champs in Inglewood have been rescheduled to Dec. 16-18.

 

Advice For Exercising Under Level 2

From the New Zealand Government

At Alert Level 2, you can do your usual sport and recreation activities if you can do them safely.

• Public parks and playgrounds are open.
• Indoor sports facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, dance studios and health clubs can open, but with extra safety measures.
• Team sports events can continue, but are limited to 50 people at indoor venues and 100 people at outdoor venues.
• Professional leagues can go ahead at Alert Level 2 because they take place in controlled workplaces.

 

National Road Relays Update

From Athletics New Zealand

Athletics NZ, in consultation with the Local Organising Committee – Athletics Canterbury, have made the decision that the New Zealand Road Relay Championships held in conjunction with the Takahe to Akaroa Road Relay scheduled for Saturday October 2 will only take place if Canterbury is at Alert Level 1.

Teams from outside Canterbury will only be allowed to compete in the Road Relay if their region is also at Alert Level 1. However, Canterbury still hopes to stage this year’s event for its local entrants on October 2 if the region is at an Alert Level 2 and the restrictions allow for gatherings of up to 100 people.

Full story here

 

Helpers Needed For Children’s Athletics

The Wellington Harrier children’s athletics programme will resume on Saturday mornings in October at Newtown Park. We would love to hear from enthusiastic parents or grandparents to assist with this exciting programme.

You do not have to be an expert. There are coaching sessions coming up that will enrich you with the required skills you need to assist our young athletes. We are especially looking for people who have an interest in high jump/hurdles or sprints. If you’re interested in being involved, please contact:

Julie Richards, Children’s Manager

juliemaerdy@yahoo.co.uk 021-295-9026

 

Club Discounts

Dancing Sands: WHAC members receive 20% off everything on the Dancing Sand’s website: dancingsands.com Just enter ‘whac20’ in the coupon field when checking out.

Bodyfix Physio: WHAC members receive $10 off per session. Book your appointment online here

 

Upcoming Events 

 

SEPTEMBER

18th            Wellington Road Champs, Wainuiomata

19th            Honest 10K, Freyberg

25th            Club runs/walks, clubrooms

26th            Hutt Marathon, Half, 10k, 5k, Petone

 

OCTOBER

2nd             NZ Road Relays, Christchurch

9th              Club runs/walks, clubrooms

10th            Wellington Marathon, half, 10k & 5k  (inc Wellington Half Marathon Champs), Skysport Stadium

16th            Bernie Potenski Memorial Handicap, Titahi Bay

17th            Honest 10K, Freyberg Pool

23rd            Harrier section annual meeting & prizegiving followed by afternoon tea (bring a plate), clubrooms

 

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.