Cross-country champs run at new location

ALL TOGETHER: The Boys High Cross Country juniors race starts. Picture by Liam Clayton

GISBORNE Boys’ High School had no choice but to hold their cross-country championships at Awapuni Sports Stadium rather than their traditional Sponge Bay course.

“It would have been a mistake to run it at Sponge Bay,” Boys’ High physical education and health head of department Simon Murphy said.

A wet winter meant that cattle had rutted up the course and, now that the ground had dried out, the footing was rough, uneven and too dangerous to use as a cross-country course, he said.

“Some of the students were disappointed,” Murphy said.

“I think it’s the first time we haven’t held it at Sponge Bay; certainly it’s the first time in my 20 years of being involved.

Murphy said the event was postponed from the end of Term 3 to the first week of Term 4.

A few options were considered before it was decided to set up a course that started in Awapuni Stadium, took runners around the outside of the stadium and through the Adventure Playground in a loop so that spectators could still see the runners start and finish.

All runners ran two circuits of the course, with a slightly longer lap for intermediate and senior runners.

Murphy said the weather was perfect and the facilities at Awapuni Stadium made running the event easy. The boys — over 500 of them — appreciated some shade while they watched, and DJ Ken-Z’s sounds provided entertainment.

The junior (under-14) race was run first. The total distance the boys ran was 3.75 kilometres. Because the course was flat and conditions were good, the top runners got around quickly. Anaru Paenga-Morgan led from the start and won comfortably in a time of 14 minutes 22 seconds. Cody Wright was second, and close behind in third place was Matthew Pepere.

The senior (over-16) race was next. They ran an extended lap with a total distance of 4.75km. It was a one-horse race with Josiah Ney winning easily in a time of 15:24. Head prefect Riaki Ruru ran a creditable second and deputy head prefect Luke Whibley was third.

The intermediate (under-16) race covered the same distance as the seniors and was the biggest age group, with well over 200 runners. It was the most closely contested race, with not a lot of distance separating the top 10 runners.

Caleb Ney won in a time of 16:42, but he was pushed all the way by Ruben Bronlund in second place, and Kahn Grayson, third.

Murphy said the behaviour and attitude of the boys was excellent.

“Thanks go to all staff and students for making it a good day,” he said.

“Thanks also to Gisborne District Council for allowing the use of the grounds at relatively short notice. We hope to return to Sponge Bay next year as it’s a much more interesting and challenging course, but having the Awapuni Stadium course as ‘Plan B’ is handy.”