Runners challenged to improve times

The Gisborne Harrier Club starts its twilight series tomorrow and continues until the end of march. The club is challenging members to improve their 2.5 and 5-kilometre times.

How much can you improve your 2.5- or five-kilometre running time in two months?

Gisborne Harrier Club is putting this challenge to local runners with its Thursday twilight series that starts tomorrow and continues until the end of March.

The club will build on the success of the series last year, when it was extended by four weeks because of consistently high numbers of people taking part.

This time the club has decided on an eight-week series. Runners can test whether a combination of training, race hardening and friendly competition will get them fitter and faster over the same course.

It will be named The River Run and start at the Marina car park. A slightly amended route will take in the Derby Street footbridge, Gladstone Road Bridge and the William Pettie Bridge. The race is essentially traffic-free, and takes in one or two laps of the scenic walkways around the CBD rivers.

The club did consider the popular new Oneroa beach walkway, which has become popular with local and visiting runners for training sessions.

“Yes, this is quickly becoming an iconic running course in our town,” club secretary Paul Naske said.

“However, on a balmy evening it can be very busy, so we decided to stay out of the way of the walkers and cyclists there.”

Five-kilometre races are quick and furious affairs for serious and seasoned athletes. Fast times for them require quick starts and sufficient strength to keep going when the body goes into oxygen debt.

At the other end of the spectrum, for beginners and sports people who have not been running for a while, the distance will develop some endurance skills which may be handy while they dream about running fast marathons.

Heat can still be a problem, particularly at the start of the series, but the racing frequency will soon condition participants to deal with the realities of Gisborne’s summer climate.

Running in March should be cooler, which will also help people get the faster times they are seeking.

“These races will be low-key affairs,” Naske said.

“A $2 fee will be charged. Formalities and the course will be simple. Races will start at 6pm.

“The course is safe for kids, too, and most of them will find one lap of 2.5 kilometres a sufficient challenge.

“There will be no big prizes or extended ceremonies at the end so people can be home for dinner or Shortland Street by 7pm. However, some handy spot prizes will be shared among the finishers.

“I am sure the biggest prizes will be the satisfaction runners experience as they notch up a marked improvement in their finishing times over the two months.”