Harriers: Thrilling races aplenty at Johnston Memorial

Winners during the Wanganui Harrier Club's Johnston Memorial races on Saturday. Back left, Margaret Stratford, Pete Monrad, Christian Conder, Di Matthews. Front left, Morgan Wood, Tanysha-Rochelle Jones, Hamish Wood. Photo/Supplied

The rain held off long enough for the Wanganui Harrier Club to complete their Johnston Memorial handicapped races in excellent weather conditions on Saturday.

With a turnout of almost 50 athletes across nine divisions there was some close racing as the handicap setters tried to close the gap between the competitors of varying ability levels.

The course was set on undulating farmland just north of the city on State Highway 3, with the mild hill climb about 1km from the finish line posing the most significant challenge.

First out on the1km and 2km courses were the Under-9 and 12 grades.

Excellent handicapping saw all competitors pushing hard right to the line.

In the Under-9 grade, Morgan Wood held off the fast-finishing trio of Dargen Wood, Alex Palazzo and Estelle Murray to record a win.

The Under-12 grade saw Tanysha-Rochelle Jones make the most of her handicap and finish ahead of Morgan Murray and Ryan Palazzo.

Under 14-16 grades were combined for this event and raced over a demanding 4km circuit.

In the girls' grade, Rebecca Baker had a comfortable win over Sarah Matthews and Brittney Matthews.

The boys' grade was a tighter race with Hamish Wood benefiting from the handicap time to lead home Liam Jones and Thomas Conder.

The Under-18 grade saw Christian Conder and Louis Hogan battle for two laps of the 3km circuit.

Hogan's handicap did not prove sufficient to hold off a fast Conder, who seemed to enjoy the course a lot more than some of the other competitors.

The senior women ran over a 6km course and Di Matthews raced well, taking advantage of the handicap to come home 17 seconds ahead of a fast-finishing Paula Conder, with Kim Whyte following.

Elly Arnst rounded out the women's field, unable to make up the handicap time.

The men's race was over two laps of the 4km circuit and proved an excellent test of fitness.

Leon Carter led from the start and managed to hold off Pat McNamara and Alan Caird to take home the Johnston Memorial Trophy for 2014.

The walkers were sent out on two laps of the 3km circuit with Pete Monrad taking out the men's race and Margaret Stratford retaining her women's trophy.

Next weekend sees the club travel to the Hughes Memorial races in Hawera, as a large club contingent of junior and senior runners, along with walkers, will be hoping to have a strong performance against some tough clubs from Taranaki and Manawatu.

Results:

U9: Morgan Wood; U12: Tanysha-Rochelle Jones; U14/16 - Girls: Rebecca Baker; Boys: Hamish Wood; U18: Christian Conder; Senior women's: Di Matthews; Senior men's: Leon Carter; Walkers - men: Pete Monrad; women: Margaret Stratford.