First Up Needle Relay Wellington Road Champs Results Interclub Series Results Chesney 2nd in Otago Hutt Marathon New Zealand Road Champs Survey on Running Shoes Upcoming Events
First Up
There were some great results at the Wellington Road Champs on Saturday. The rain threatened but only came down a bit in the final race, and while the wind was more noticeable than usual, overall the conditions were still excellent for running. Congratulations to Esther George, who won the Senior Women’s title in a new PB 35:32. It was a great showing in the Senior Men’s race as well, with Callum Stewart having an outstanding run to finish second in 31:51, followed by Nathan Tse in third (32:12). Congratulations also to age group gold medalists Poppy Healy (WU18), Vickie Humphries (W50), Eliza Squire (WU20), Paul Hewitson (M60), and Dan Clendon (M35). Well done to the M60s and WU18 teams that won their grades. And thanks to everybody for making it a strong showing in blue and a fun day. A special shout out to Mark Te Punga and Neil Price, who braved the conditions to take down the individual lap times of more than 20 WHAC runners in the 10K race, a small miracle of coordination and penmanship. And it really does give runners valuable feedback, beyond what their Garmin watches can tell them. It was the club’s AGM on Monday and there are a few changes to note. Welcome to new board members Callum Stewart and Graeme Morrison, and thanks to departing board member John O’Driscoll for his service. Callum will be taking on the role of track & field manager, while Vickie Humphries will be the new coaching coordinator. This weekend it’s the annual Needle Relay, which has been a great addition to the running calendar to replace the Bays Relay that was lost to traffic management issues. The Needle Relay is hosted by WHAC so please come out and support the race if you can, and many thanks to all those who have volunteered to marshal. For future newsletter items or suggestions, please email Nick Perry: nickgbperry@gmail.com
Senior Men’s medalists in the 2023 Wellington Road Champs: Nathan Tse, Seamus Kane and Callum Stewart. Photo by Rowan Greig.
Needle Relay
Venue/Race HQ: The Wind Needle (Zephyrometer), Corner Cobham Drive and Evans Bay Parade, Wellington.
The races: There are three distinct events, open to both registered and social members of clubs: the Walker’s Turkey Trot; the Children’s Needle Relay, and the Needle Relay. Each event starts on the footpath by the wind needle and runners and walkers remain on the footpath at all times. No headphones, earbuds are permitted while competing.
Race Times: 10.30 a.m. Walker’s Turkey Trot: 5km walk for all ages. Walk north on the footpath besides Evans Bay Parade for 2.5km, turning around at the city end of Weka Bay. Walkers estimate their time with the winners being those closest to their estimated time. No watches or phones allowed! Enter on the day.
12.00 p.m. Children’s Needle Relay: 10-13 years of age on race day. Girls, Boys, Mixed (Athletes of mixed genders, with at least one male and one female in the team, and all from the same club). 4 runners per team, each running the same 1.6km lap. 1.6km lap: Run south to east on the footpath along Cobham Drive for 0.8km, turning at the positioned marshal.
1 p.m. Needle Relay: Junior Women U20, Junior Men U20, Senior Women, Senior Men, Masters Women 35, Masters Men 35, Masters Women 50, Masters Men 50, Open Masters 60, Mixed. 5 runners per team, running a mix of 5km and 3km laps that total 21km. The 10 age grades run together, making for a compact and competitive day of racing. Laps 1, 3, and 5 (5km): Run north on the footpath beside Evans Bay Parade for 2.5km, turning around at the city end of Weka Bay. Runners stay on the footpath and run around the outside of Cog Park, NOT on the limestone path through the park. Laps 2 and 4 (3km): Run east on the footpath beside Cobham Drive for 1.5km. The turnaround is about 200m past the main airport roundabout
Winning teams: WU18 5K Poppy Healy 1st (18:25), Lulu Davies 3rd (19:50), Scarlett Anderson 4th (20:40), Lillie Beliveau 5th (20:53). M60s 5K Paul Hewitson 1st (18:04), Dave Creamer 3rd (19:24), Todd Krieble 4th (19:39), Ian Macfarlane 7th (21:36).
Gold Medal individual: Poppy Healy WU18 (18:25), Eliza Squire WU20 (19:39), Vickie Humphries W50 (20:23), Paul Hewitson M60 (18:04), Esther George SW (35:32), Dan Clendon M35 (33:11) Silver Medal individual: Lulu Davies WU18 (19:50), Charlotte Kerr W50 (20:39), Callum Stewart SM (31:51), Brian Hayes M70 (23:59), Nat Hardaker W35 (39:50) Bronze Medal individual: Dave Creamer M60 (19:24), Paul May M65 (22:10), Nathan Tse SM (32:12)
From Timothy Dawbin, Hill City-University Secretary
Liam Chesney had another excellent performance at the Otago Road Championships on Saturday. Liam was second across the line in the 10km event, bettered only by Janus Staufenberg, last year’s Senior National Road Champion. Despite the cold and windy conditions, Liam finished in 32:41- a new personal best time. This time takes almost 40 seconds off his old PB (33:20) set at last year’s National Road Championships. Congratulations, Liam! Results. Event Photos.
Hutt Marathon
From Ken Howell, race director
The Hutt marathon is on Sunday 17 September. Register before 5 September to avoid the late fee. Incorporating the Wellington Centre marathon championships. Cash prizes for placegetters in the marathon run, and half marathon, 10km runners and walkers. And a 5km fun run and Cool kids Kilometre. Register now on huttmarathon.co.nz
My name is Aaron Jackson, I am a Podiatrist and researcher from Auckland University of Technology. Along with several colleagues I am interested in understanding how running coaches (as well as Podiatrists, Physiotherapists, and specialist retailers), view individualised recommendations for running shoes. Of particular interest is the coaches’ thoughts on what running shoes can achieve (biomechanically), and what considerations about the runner lead them to the recommendations that they make. Our intention here is not to contrast one coach to another, and individuals will not be directly compared in any publications or presentations of this data. We are interested in the opinions of all coaches who work with middle, long and ultra distance runners. The survey is expected to take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous, and we have no way of linking each respondent to their individual answers. The study was approved by the AUT Ethics Committee (AUTEC Reference number 23/93). Those interested can access the survey by following the link: https://aut.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02q3zc1jRxDlXwy Additionally, in acknowledgement of time, anyone who responds to the survey will be able to enter a prize draw for one of five $100 supermarket vouchers. Furthermore, if you are interested, I will hold an online information session after the study has concluded. This will be free to attend for anyone who completes the survey and will provide an overview of our findings as well as what current research suggests regarding the prescription of running footwear. Please can you respond to this email letting me know if you have interested members and I will put you on the list.
Upcoming Events
AUGUST
26th Needle Relay (interclub), Evans Bay
26th Hawke’s Bay Marathon, Hastings
SEPTEMBER
2nd Henderson Relay (U14), clubrooms
10th (Sun) New Zealand Road Championships, Palmerston North
16th Old Boys Memorial Race, clubrooms
17th (Sun) Honest 10K, Whale Tail sculpture near Freyberg Pool
7th Prizegiving followed by afternoon tea TBC, clubrooms
14th Bernie Potenski Memorial Handicap TBC, Titahi Bay
15th (Sun) Honest 10K, Whale Tail sculpture near Freyberg Pool
NOVEMBER
19th (Sun) Honest 10K, Whale Tail sculpture near Freyberg Pool
DECEMBER
17th (Sun) Honest 10K, Whale Tail sculpture near Freyberg Pool
WHAC Board Information
If you have ideas for the club or any questions, please contact a board member or the secretary, Richard Swan (secretary@whac.org.nz). Your board members are: John Barrance, Richard Swan, Frank Evett, Paul Hewitson, Julie Richards, Gordon Clarke, Georgina Wedge, Bertram Manz, Vickie Humphries, Seth Campbell, Todd Krieble, Nathan Tse, Callum Stewart, and Graeme Morrison
