Perfect conditions for Turakina race result in fast times

COME ON IN: Natasha Cubis was one of the first home in the Turakina 19km road race before handicap times were taken into account.

Perfect running weather and the serenade of the bagpipes greeted competitors as they finished the Wanganui Harrier Club's 52nd annual Turakina 19km Handicap Road Race on Saturday.

Over 50 team and individual competitors completed either their run or walk from the Turakina Roadhouse Carpark, out along State Highway 3 to the Koitiata settlement, and returning to the Caledonian Grounds, right next door to the Highland Games.

Cloud, light drizzle and the lack of wind made for top conditions out on the Beach Road, with most of the competitors finishing well before their pre-race estimated times.

However, some predictions can be accurate almost to the moment - as walker Richard Lewis discovered when he was only four seconds over the guessed 2hr 20m.

The "Targe" trophy for the fastest time went to Lee Harris, who ran home in 1h 16m 23s which was over five and half minutes better than expected.

He was followed by Chris Smith (1h 23m 6s) and Jason Daws (1h 24m 11s).

Bruce Fife showed the other walkers how it's done with a time of 2h 2m 58s, followed by Evan Davies (2h 7m 17s) and then David Jones (2h 14m 17s).

The first running team home was Myles Hodder, Charlie Bilby, Glenn Haden and Dom Townsend, completing the course in 1h 20m 22s, while runners-up were James Barnes, Merrik Slade, Thomas Sinton and Nicky Malipaard (1h 35m 46s).

The two-person team of Megan McChesney and Nicola Crowe were third in 2h 6m 23s.

First for the walking teams were Alan McKey and Darryl James, who posted a time of 2h 11m 14s.

Next on the agenda for the Harriers club is the Pumpkins Series, for 3km to 5km walkers and runners, starting February 11 and being held on Thursday evenings through until March 10 at Kowhai Park.