Lake City run down 11 medals at champs

The last major cross-country event on the Athletics Waikato BOP calendar saw Lake City Athletic Club members endure a muddy and damp course when the championships were held at the Narrows Christian Camp near Hamilton on Saturday.

The first of the day's events were held in heavy rain and wind, but as the day went on conditions improved with a fine afternoon.

Lake City athletes had a successful haul of 11 medals spread over many of the grades contested.

Top performances of the day came from the club's top runner Michael Voss competing in the men's under-20 grade.

Although Voss had a commanding lead mid-race he was hauled in by second-place getter Harry Ewing of Hamilton City Hawks who finished 9 seconds in arrears. Voss finished in 27m 41s to Ewing's 27m 50s for the 8000m. Voss' sectional kilometre times of 3m 28s were not matched during the day.

In the various master age groups, Colin Earwaker (Men 55), Trevor Ogilvie (M65) and Kathy Howard (W60), all took provincial titles.

Promising grade 12 girl, Hannah Gapes had a very close race with Corinna Decker-Thorburn of Hamilton City Hawks, and showed determination to take the championship title.

In the non-judged/non championship 4000m walking event it was a trifecta result for the club with Helen Foster, Gay Timpany and Jeanene Lysaght filling the first three places.

The club's programme continues with relay and forest runs leading into the Athletics Waikato Road Championships (August 16) and the Athletics NZ road champs (September 5).

Both are being held at Tauranga while in between is the Cambridge half marathon and associated events (August 23).

The half marathon doubles as the Athletics half marathon championship.