Athletics
Ben Winder was in fine form when race three of the Trust House-sponsored cross-country series was held on the Massey University research farm at Mikimiki on Sunday, with the continuing fine weather proving to be a bonus for runners and spectators alike.
The course crossed from the northern side of the Mikimiki road to the southern side, by way of the road bridge, and included sections of flat paddock, a short hill climb and forested descent, with some technical sections of rocky ground. Most of the courses followed an out-and-back format with varying numbers of laps in the middle section to make up the distances. The full course distance was 6km.
Winder was fastest over the longer course, making it three out of three wins in the series. It was the closest of the three finishes, however. Michael Macklin pushed hard and managed to keep within a minute of his time of 22min 45s. Barrie Joslin takes over from Steve Brown as competition leader, having secured maximum handicap points in this race.
B grade action was again dominated by the impressive form of Sam Andrews-Paul, who finished nearly a full two minutes ahead of the opposition. Tim Mathews slowly moved away from the rest of the chasing pack to take second place, while Jochen Martens, in his first race in New Zealand, managed to take third place in this grade, despite the terrain being vastly different to his native Amsterdam!
Pete Morrison managed to head off the series director, Willie Blake, by half a minute at the top end of C grade, with Judy Brown finishing third after her win in the last race. Blake did, however. manage to clinch the top points on handicap.
Peter Clendon led Chris Cogdale and Angeline Colquhoun to the finish in D grade, however it was Renee and Lisa Tonkin, along with veteran club member, and coincidentally the course-setter, Graeme Roberts, who stole the points for the handicap competition. It is Tonkin who will lead into race four.
E grades walkers were again dominated by the father and son duo of Chris and Ben van Gervan, who finished as previously in the first two places, with Michael Teahan in third. Chris was delighted with his walking speed of just under 7mins per kilometre, and that form bodes well for future competitions.
The junior athletes ran two loops of the main course over a 4.2km distance, with Liam Heard again finishing in first place, 15s ahead of Rhys Gywther, and John Jerling finishing third for the second race in succession.
Intermediates ran a single loop for a 2.6km distance, quite a step up from their normal 2km race, given the terrain. However all these athletes coped well with the added distance, and Mathew Heard was able to maintain the pressure over Lachlan Chesmar and Carlos McRae, to cross the line first.
A 1km course was set in the paddocks and stockyards for the midget grade, Travis Bartlett finishing his run in 4.52, ahead of Jas Moore and Mia Bartlett.
After the racing action, morning tea was held in the woolshed, and Graeme Butcher's progress was followed on the internet, while he was competing at the world 24-hour championships in the Netherlands.
Next race in the cross-country series will be on May 26, starting at Kamahi Farm, Rangitumau.