Round the Bridges relay continues annual tradition

More than 50 years of tradition continued for the Wanganui Harriers on Saturday with the annual running of their Round the Bridges relay in town.

The race gained competitive status in 1951 after the creation of the Hopper Brother Shield for the winning team.

"It was an honour to have Seymour Hopper present the trophy on Saturday, the very trophy he and his brothers had given to the club 52 years ago," said club spokesman Iain Steven.

In front of a good turnout of supporters, the award for the fastest lap of the 4.25km course was won by Chris Berry.

"He showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field to bring it home in a time of 16 minutes, 29 seconds," said Steven.

"The Hopper Brother Shield was won by a team comprising of Jordan Reardon, Amie Simpson, Paul Duxfield and Peter Jones proving that one fast runner does not make a winning team."

In competitive walking, the Pointon Trophy was claimed by the team of Trish Gee, Marilyn Horton and Les Purdy.

The Hopper/Sandlant Trophy for youth was won by Christian Conder, Caleb Whyte-Aplin, Helena Hazelhurst, Hamish Wood and Anna Clifton.

This Saturday will be the Ross Greaves Trophy, a race across both the Durie and Bastia Hills.

It starts at 1.30pm on Saturday.