Cross-country: Harriers top podium on home turf

Benjamin Wall from Feilding Harriers coming to the end to win the Under 18's race at the Athletics Manawatu-Wanganui Cross Country Championships.

Wanganui Harrier Club members topped the podium in eight categories of the Athletics Manawatu-Wanganui Cross Country Championships on their home turf at the Bason Reserve on Saturday.

Harriers club members from Wanganui, Palmerston North and Feilding competed in up to 15 walking and running categories of various age groups for males and females.

The day was the key selection races for runners to be considered to represent the region at the New Zealand Championships in Auckland on July 30.

"We had some good races out there. Perfect weather," said race manager Paul Duxfield.

Christian Conder won the prestigious Junior Men Under 20 grade, with club mate Liam Jones second.

Other age grade running victories came from Mignon Stevenson (Veteran Women 60-64), Ashleigh Christie (Veteran Men 35-39), and Gareth Jones (Veteran Men 40-44).

In the 8km walking grades, there was success from Kate Quigley (Women), Robin Howard (Men 50-54), Mark Kennedy (Men 55-59) and Danny Orlowski (Men 60-64).

Also coming runnerup in their various running grades were Alex Payne (Boys Under 9), Ben Karatau (Boys Under 11), Oliver Jones (Boys Under 13), Nat Kirk (Boys Under 15), Elly Arnst (Senior Women), Paula Conder (Veteran Women 40-44), Lesley Jones (Veteran Women 50-54), Peter Jones (Veteran Men 55-60), and walker Peter Monrad (Men 50-54).

Earning third placings were Aiden Billing (Boys Under 9) and Jack Payne (Boys Under 15).

Nine other club members got finishers in the Top 10 of their divisions.

Courses at the Bason Reserve were 1km and 2km in length, consisting of undulating sections as well as flats and hill climbs.