Ramblers race course rethink after rain

The weather again had the final say when the Ruamahanga Ramblers were forced to switch courses and stage their event on the roads around the Parkvale Hall on Saturday.

The original venue was to be at Paul Furkert's Parkvale farm, with the idea being to run the "Parkvale Loop" which had been postponed three weeks previously, also because of the weather.

But all that changed when 20mm of rain fell in the 12 hours before the start of the race and made a section of the course muddy and a crossing of the fast-flowing Parkvale Stream too dangerous to risk.

Ironically, the weather during the event itself was calm, dry and warm but the morning's wind and rain resulted in a smaller than usual field. But it did mean that those who did turn up had better odds of taking away the chocolate bar prize draw held after every race and won this time by Matthew Furkert.

Veteran Ray Wallis arrived early and warmed up by doing the whole 6.4km course, then during the race maintained his pace to hold off the three female runners he had been battling the whole way around - Claudia Baechie, Lee Tanner and Della Laird. There was mention later that a gentleman would have let the ladies finish first!

Results: 2km: Jack Britland 14.50, Jessica Duthie 16.24, Samantha Duthie 17.30, Lucas Megaw 21.40, Tracey Duthie 28.10.

4km: Michael Hyman 19.55, Andrew Hyman 21.40, Michael Scott 23.22.

6.4km: Steve Britland 28.18, Michael Duthie 28.40, Roger Jones 29.05, Wayne Hyman 34.11, Matthew Furkert 34.26, Ray Wallis 36.03, Claudia Baechie 36.48, Lee Tanner 37.14, Della Laird 37.21, John Ihaka 60.47, Paul Furkert 60.47.