The under-14 and under-16 girls and boys get off to a mass start.
The under-14 and under-16 girls and boys get off to a mass start.
Heavy rainfall overnight was no deterrent for 131 harriers who competed in June’s annual Anderson Rally at the Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds.
They came from all around the southern North Island.
Feilding Moa had the largest contingent but Napier Harriers, Hastings Harriers and a smattering of runners from Palmerston North AHC,Wellington Scotts, Whanganui, Ashhurst, Wairarapa Track and Field, Kapiti, four from Dannevirke and some walkers from Manawatu Striders also competed.
It was tough going coming up the hill in slippery conditions.
The event ran smoothly despite periodic showers, the cool breeze just the tonic to keep the runners fresh and the running surface varying from soft to slushy and mud in places.
The course was re-routed around the worst mud down in the valley and the 10km race was reduced to 7.5 km because of the heavy track.
Nick Zulinski wins the under-12 boys race.
A family affair: Emmett and Elliot Hanly with Dad Nick.
Locals Stephanie (winner of open women) and Terry Walker (organiser).
After the event all competitors and supporters had afternoon tea with hot drinks and venison sausages, processed by James and Delwyn Walker and cooked and distributed by Dannevirke Lions from their caravan and pronounced delicious.
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, a lot of participants went home with a prize as well.
Runners were complimentary about the event describing it as “a good test”, “challenging and scenic”, “varied and interesting” and “a very enjoyable experience”.
A teams' trophy recently recovered dating back to the 1970s when there were 800 competitors.
The prize-giving was held in the Home Industries Hall with an array of cups created for the recent revival of the event four years ago, added to by some of the originals for display purposes including a teams’ trophy recovered last week from a club’s archive.
