In this week’s newsletter:
First Up
Henderson Memorial Relay Results
National Road Relays Information
Wellington Masters AGM
Hutt Marathon Details
Beamish Aims for Paris
Hatuma Half Marathon
Upcoming Events
First Up
Congratulations to all those who have been picked to represent the Wellington region at the New Zealand Road Champs in Palmerston North on Sunday.
Among those picked from the club are Luca Evett, Wilson Li, Connor Chesney, Liam Chesney, Julian Baker, Max Karamanolis, Nathan Tse, Callum Stewart, Scarlett Anderson, Lillie Beliveau, Lulu Davies, Abby Carver, Sarah Hay, Eliza Squire, Saskia Cogrove Drayton, Sarah Drought, Esther George, Dan Clendon, Jamie Duncan, Paul Hewitson, Graeme Morrison, Nat Hardaker, Vickie Humphries and Charlotte Kerr. You can find the full list here
There is a website up now with all the information about the new course for National Road Relays. More on that below.
WHAC is running a holiday programme to introduce children to track and field athletics. There are two levels, for those aged 4-8 and those aged 9-13. It will be run between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Newtown Park, beginning Sept. 26. For more details, contact Geoff Henry at ghenry@actrix.co.nz.
For future newsletter items or suggestions, please email Nick Perry: nickgbperry@gmail.com
Henderson Memorial Relay Results
From Geoff Henry
We had some athletes away at the AIMS Games, but we had nine taking part, and running either two or three laps for their teams. Team results were very close
Ruby Ranger took a baton and ran a lap accompanied by her brother. She enjoyed it so much that she ran another lap with her mum, and only surrendered her baton and team vest when we collected and packed them all away!
Team Results
Yellow Team
Lucas Kendrick 3:26
Millie McPhee 4:01
Austin Darling 3:17
Austin Darling 3:49
Millie McPhee 4:17
Lucas Kendrick 3:25
Austin Darling 3:53
Lucas Kendrick 3:21
29:29
Orange Team
Isla Morrison 3:48
Abby McLeod 4:17
Lachlan Ranger 3:15
Isla Morrison 3:58
Abby McLeod 4:11
Lachlan Ranger 3:29
Isla Morrison 4:10
Lachlan Ranger 3:22
30:30
Blue Team
Delia Davies 3:54
Bianca Cornell 3:47
Jagger Wilson 3:48
Delia Davies 3:52
Bianca Cornell 3:42
Jagger Wilson 4:15
Delia Davies 3:53
Bianca Cornell 3:20
30:31
National Road Relays Information
There is a website with all the information about the long and short courses. You can find it here
A new course:
Loburn 68, it’s simple really. Loburn Domain is the central hub of the event just across the Ashley River / Rakahuri from Rangiora. The 68 is the combined distance of two loops through the central hub of 34k each. To make it more exciting and inclusive, there’s also a one loop (39k) for 6-person teams.
How we got here – from T2A to Loburn 68:
The iconic Takahe to Akaroa Road Relay has delighted road runners from 1935 to 2021. It was the premiere road relay for Canterbury, the South Island and probably New Zealand. However, highway safety requirements made it impractical and so a temporary solution was developed in 2022 using a course in Bottle Lake Forest near Christchurch. Some benefits of a loop-based course and an events hub were highlighted.
Sure, change isn’t always easy but the amazing history of T2A will be part of the legacy for a new event, something exciting to build a stellar future.
With this in mind we sought a road relay course that is safe, convenient, sustainable and appealing; the Loburn 68 was created. Bordered by hills and rivers, the rolling terrain is bisected by quiet country roads. Just north of the Rangiora township, it’s in easy reach of Christchurch, about 30 minutes drive away.
Wellington Masters AGM
From Vickie Humphries
Starting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, 28 September, the Wellington Masters AGM will be held at the Olympic Clubrooms, Alex Moore Park, 29 Bannister Avenue, Johnsonville
Wellington Masters Athletics ensures masters records are updated and maintained, organises two local races during the season and periodically hosts the North Island and National Masters Track & Field Championships. President Liz Bentley is asking if each club would supply a Masters committee member for a 12-month period. Meetings are held just once per month and are usually online. If this is something you could do, please let Liz know directly (liz@withkudos.com), or talk with Vickie Humphries.
Hutt Marathon Details
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
Beamish Aims for Paris
From Athletics New Zealand
Steeplechase ace George Beamish reflects on his stunning performance at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and looks forward with optimism to the Paris 2024 Olympics where he hopes to make the most of his passion for the cut and thrust of championship competition.
George Beamish insists his performance at the World Athletics Championships when fifth in the 3000m steeplechase has filled him with confidence, but his feet remain firmly grounded leading into his Paris Olympic challenge next year.
In just his first year of senior steeplechasing, the 26-year-old US-based Kiwi has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his new event. Lowering the 39-year-old New Zealand record in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in just his sixth race over the senior barriers in Monaco and producing the best ever Kiwi male track performance in the history of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, the season could not have got much better.
Reflecting on his display in Budapest, the former Whanganui Collegiate student says: “It already feels like so long ago. But what needs to be remembered as an athlete is not to get too carried away by one good performance. Yes, I was satisfied with Budapest, but I’m now setting my sights on the Diamond League final (in Eugene) and then returning to training in the fall.”
Full story here
Hatuma Half Marathon
Sept. 17, Central Hawke’s Bay
Into its 4th decade and still going strong, the Hatuma Half Marathon is very much a highlight on the local sporting calendar.
From humble beginnings back in 1980, a group of running enthusiast friends got together and took on the challenge to create a running event here in Central Hawke’s Bay. Since then the event has continued to grow and has built up a reputation for being a well organised event to be shared with family & friends event in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The Hatuma Half Marathon starts and finishes at the Waipukurau Racecourse. This picturesque venue is able to accommodate ample off-street parking and has picnic areas and facilities.
For more information, click here
Upcoming Events
SEPTEMBER
10th (Sun) New Zealand Road Championships, Palmerston North
16th Old Boys Memorial Race, clubrooms
17th (Sun) Honest 10K, Whale Tail sculpture near Freyberg Pool
17th (Sun) Hutt Marathon Events (Wellington Marathon Champs), Petone
School holidays – September 23- October 8th
23rd Club runs/walks, clubrooms
30th New Zealand Road Relays, Christchurch
OCTOBER
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