Stefan Smith made a memorable return to the Napier Harriers Club yesterday when he recorded the fastest time in the senior men's section of the club's annual Queen's Birthday handicap road races, a feature event of the club's 75th jubilee celebrations staged during the weekend.
Smith, a Wellington Scottish athlete, completed the 9km race - which took in Marine Parade, Shakespeare Rd and Coote Rd - in 29m 44s. He is believed to be the first athlete to go under 30 minutes in the event since Phil Costley and Matt Holder in the mid 1990s.
Smith's clubmate Ryan Woolley, Steve Charles and Smith were first, second and third respectively in the senior men's race.
First home in the masters men's race was Malcolm Lochrie.
Former club member Peter Gillies was second and Niall McCormack third.
Emily Stuart, a club member who recently arrived from Edinburgh, won the master's women's 4.5km race from Joan Vyle and Gina Ginlayson.
New Zealand junior mountain-running champion Rochelle Sceats set a W19 course record at 16m 26s (although Laura Nagel's W16 record is still faster at 16m 22s).
Other fastest times went to Annie Creagh, with 19m 14s in the under-15s, Monica Burnard, with 19m 5s in the under-17s, Emma Mackie, with 18m 30s in the senior women, and Lee-Anne Sharp, with 17m 27s in the master's women.
Under-17 runner Brendan Speakman, off a 4m handicap, ran his way through the field and held out his brother and under-20 winner Eric Speakman, who had a 6m handicap, by 3s in the closest finish of the day.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
Depth creates tough selection calls for Napier City Rovers coach
Form, eligibility rules and depth of quality make for tough selection calls for coach.