City hills provide trophy challenge

Wanganui Harriers club members take off across the carpark at the bottom of Durie Hill for the start of the Ross Greaves Trophy race last Saturday. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 310813WCBRCHAR01.

Over 20 of the usual running suspects from the Wanganui Harriers club took part in Saturday's dash for the Ross Greaves Trophy, a closed handicapped race.

Club spokesman Iain Steven said the race was held over a 10km course, which had to be altered slightly this year due to the steep zig-zag path from Mount View Rd to Ikitara Rd being closed.

"The racers continued down to the bottom of Mount View Rd before picking up the old course.

"While the course is relatively short it crosses the city's two biggest hills, making it a gruelling race and one that saw both the running and walking packs well spread by the end of the race."

The walkers left early while around 22 runners were the next away from the carpark at the bottom of Durie Hill, competing in fine conditions with little wind.

"It also allowed some of the more tougher competitors to show their class, with the return of Barbie Smart after some weeks off," said Steven.

Today the club will hold a fun relay race, planned to depart from the clubrooms at 1.30pm.

Many of the athletes are in training for the Marton to Wanganui race on September 14.

Results

Ross Greaves Trophy: Hamish Young 1, Peter Jones 2, Jeremy Griffiths 3. Gary Wolland Memorial: Eleanor Young 1, Amie Simpson 2, Di Matthews 3; Bevan And Ileen Chilcott Trophy: Les Purdy 1, Peter Monrad 2, Margaret Stratford 3; Robyn Martin Cup: Christian Conder 1, Louis Hogan and Jordan Reardon 2=; Martin Trophy: Noah Heihei 1, Ben Conder 2, Morgan Murray 3; Martin Miniature: Estelle Murray 1, Dargen Wood 2.