Jones dons boots for slog in paddocks

Athletics

Cold wind and rain saw a drop in numbers when the Ruamahanga Ramblers held an event at Greg Lang's Gladstone property last Saturday.

Just two children braved the elements but with most Saturday morning sport having been cancelled they had an extra spring in their step and completed two laps rather than the usual one.

Roger Jones came equipped for the wet, soggy ground by wearing rugby boots only to find that Greg Lang had altered the course with half of it being on the tarsealed Admiral Hill road. Jones and Marty Sebire had a great battle with Sebire, wearing normal running shoes, pulling away on the tarseal section each lap and Jones overhauling him when it came to negotiating the paddocks. Jones got the upper hand in the end.

Paul Furkert arrived with two left-footed shoes so Greg Lang kindly lent him an old pair of his.

Furkert, who has been struggling mid-pack for most of the season, set the fastest 6km time, and promptly offered to buy the shoes.

With the small field the regulars were hopeful of winning the weekly chocolate bar prize on the basis they had the greater numbers but they were thwarted by Brian Sanders in his first winter outing with the Ramblers.

Perhaps the highlight of the day, though, was the after-race cup of tea in Greg Lang's woolshed, complete with open fire.

Results, in order of handicap time and actual time:

4km: Lucas Megaw 32.08, 22.08; Matthew Furkert 32.50, 17.50; Vanessa Vermeulen 34.12, 24.12; Lynne Birkett 41.23, 35.23.

6km: Wayne Hyman 38.18, 28.18; Martin Parker 39.40, 29.40; Joshua Vermuelen 40.38, 30.38; Paul Furkert 40.50, 25.50; Roger Jones 41.23, 26.23; Marty Sebire 41.48, 31.48; Brian Sanders 41.58, 26.58; Chris Megaw 42.07, 32.07; Lesley Graham 42.10, 27.10; Greg Lang 42.11, 32.11; Katherine Horsburgh 42.25, 27.25; Teresa Reynolds 43.35, 28.35; Robyn Weston 50.32, 50.32.