Ramblers bunch of speedsters

Athletics

The handicapper was caught on the hop when the Ruamahanga Ramblers held the last of their summer season races from Belvedere Hall in Carterton this week.

Conditions were calmer and milder than anticipated, which meant about two-thirds of the runners and walkers posted times faster than the handicapper predicted.

Husband and wife walkers Trish and Kevin Whale had another fascinating battle with Trish claiming her first win over Kevin on handicap, and taking out the overall handicap honours for walkers.

Four of the runners broke the 20-minute mark for 5km, including Malcolm Swanson, who achieved the feat for the first time.

The finish of the summer handicap series saw John Ihaka win from fellow walkers Steve Edge and Cath Wedderburn.

The latter two ended up 10 places ahead of Ihaka this week but that was not enough to overhaul the lead he had built in the previous eight handicap races.

Throughout the summer season 140 walkers or runners contested events run by the Ramblers, a superb result for a small town like Carterton.

This week's results, in order of handicap times and actual time:-

2km: Jessica Duthie 26.14, 15.44; Xanthe Furkert 27.26, 14.16; Matthew Sebire 33.19, 9.19; Wendy Taylor 33.48, 17.58; Aidan Furkert 34.10, 10.50; Kasey Cox 34.26, 10.16; Samantha Duthie 35.12, 10.02; Tracy Duthie 35.29, 24.59; Josh Price 39.14, 15.24; John Sage 48.41, 26.11; Lachie Sage 48.41, 26.11.

5km: Alix Haste 42.45, 27.15; Ray Haste 42.49, 27.19; Trish Whale 43.39, 41.39; Marty Sebire 44.02, 23.42, Michael Duthie 44.07, 22.07; Kate Gay 44.10, 30.30; Ray Wallis 44.16, 27.26; Malcolm Swanson 44.16, 19.46; Linda Fairbrother 44.17. 42.17; Tom Porter 44.20, 21.40; Hugh Taylor 44.26, 19.11; Steve Edge 44.28, 33.08; Cath Wedderburn 44.38, 35.58; Ali Lang 44.46, 36.46; Derek Cox 44.50, 20.40; Tessa Southey 44.53, 25.03; Paul Furkert 44.54, 19.39; Michael Macklin 44.56, 17.46; Craig Bird 45.03, 21.43; Teresa Reynolds 45.13, 23.33; Susan Southey 45.24, 26.04; Malcolm McDonald 45.27, 20.37; John Ihaka 45.38, 34.58; Corlette Doherty 45.58, 40.48; Irene Price 46.11, 46.11; Maxine Bird 47.21, 47.21; Julie Watson 48.00, 48.00; Monica Hobbs 48.54, 48.54; Wendy Burkhart 48.54, 48.54; Lyn Birket 49.07, 49.07; Greg Lang 50.29, 26.39; Audrey Sebire 52.59, 52.59; Clarissa Price 52.59, 52.59.