Running: Wilkinson-Smith wins the Whitlaw Cup

Chris Wilkinson-Smith claimed the Whitlaw Cup on Saturday. Photo by Mandy Jones.

The Wanganui Harriers opened their road season in sunny but chilly conditions with the Whitlaw Cup races.

Whitlaw is an open handicap race with staggered start times, as the slower runners start first with the quicker athletes going last, therefore opening up the prospect of everyone having a chance to win, although it usually requires a personal best to accomplish it.

The 2017 edition was a new course but still over the 12km distance starting from the Whanganui Multisport Clubrooms, heading through Kowhai Park and then back and over the Dublin St bridge, along the riverbank walkway to the train statue.

Going into a cool head wind on the way out, with the tail wind return, recent club member Chris Wilkinson-Smith took the lead from Peter Jones at the 8km mark and kept it for a well deserved victory.

Mike Sutherland was not quite able to catch up with the leading two runners and settled for third place, while the fastest time was recorded by Josh Payne in 45m 33s.

Nikki Crowe gave it her best shot in the women's 8km race over a similar course, but in the end Kim Whyte came through to overtake with 250m to go and pick up the win, while Eleanor Arnst was third in recording the fastest time of 36m 16s.

The walkers also took a similar route through Kowhai Park and along the riverbank, with Peter Monrad claiming the men's 8km race from Damien Wood, while Gai Marie Smart managed to pass all the walkers with a few kilometres to go to claim the women's race, with Paula Goudie second.

There was a close finish in the Bagley Cup with Jack Payne just managing to beat Elliot Jones to the finish - Jones recording a very good time of 11m 47s over the 3km distance.
The Langmead Chalice was won by Maggie Jones, with Saige Zimmerman in second and Georgina Bryant in third.

Racers in the Under 12 grade competed for the Nimmo Cup, which saw the girls hold the lead for the entire race from the boys.

Zara Jackson claimed line honours from Alice Quigley and Morgan Wood, while Oliver Jones recorded the fastest time for the 2km of 8m 19s.

There was a sprint finish in the Under 9's race for the Duncan McKenzie Trophy, with Ayden Billing beating Isla Jones by only one second.