Napier Harriers supplied 50% of the runners for the Provincial Cross Country Champs in Gisborne which doubled as our Club Champs as well.
We finished up by having to drive 4 vans to Gisborne as the bus had to be cancelled as the driver was crook. Thanks to Nicole and Mark for arranging the vans at such late notice and to Wayne, Lance, Roger and Neil for being the drivers. All in all a good trip with no hassles on the day.
In fine good running conditions Napier Harriers secured 2nd and 3rd placings in the Girls U12 race with Zara Keighley being our club champ in 9m 34s over the 2k distance followed by Louisa Moore in 10m 12s.
Ollie Marshall ran a good race and led from the start closely followed by Adam Barron and Aiden Jones. Napier had 8 runners in this grade and filled the first 3 placings with Ollie running 7m 45s, Adam 7m 54s and an improved performance by Aiden in 7m 58s. They were followed by Kingston Webb in 5th in 8m 17s then Ethan Green 7th in 9m 25s, Tyler Annand 8th in 9m 29s and Ryan Jones 9th in 10m 29s.
In the Boys 14U over 4k we once again filled the first three placings with a wise run from Dylan Barron who had a great run to win in 16m 03s from the fast startingThomas Christison in 17m 07s closely followed by Josh Keating in 17m 12s.
We then filled the first three placings in the ladies 16U grade over 4k with Laura Langley having a much improved run to record 16m 31s and this also secured her selection for the Nationals in Hamilton in two weeks time. Laura was followed by Georgia Creagh in 18m 30s and Louise Hancock in 20m 40s.
Lan Johansen made no race of the Boys 16U race to win comfortably over 6k to record a good 22m 47s to also be selected for the Nationals. Ben Harrison was 4th in 30m 08s.
Toa also won very easily in the Mens 19U grade to record 29m 59s for 8k with Jason Pearson placing 3rd but picking up the silver medal as the second place getter from Gisborne was not a registered runner. Toa was not available for team selection to the Nationals.
In the Masters grades the winner was our effervescent Annie Kane who won easily in 28m 32s over 6k with Gina Finlayson getting the silver medal as the 2nd and 3rd placings were unregistered so well done Gina. Graig Mathers is the club and provincial champ in the Masters Men over 8k in 33m 10s with Roger Morrison gaining the silver medal in 34m 37s. Only two registered runners in the mens masters grade out of the 9 starters.
Tonia Tikkun is our club champ in the senior womens grade as she filled the third placing in her race. All three runners were unregistered so could not claim any provincial placing.
Our Senior Mens club champ is Kristian Day who ran the 12k distance in 44m 29s followed by Mark Speakman who was awarded the senior provincial title as he was the only registered runner in that grade. Mark did 51m 45s.
Out of the 11 grades competing Napier Harriers won 8 of the provincial titles.
Christian Leopard ran in the Wellington Champs in the Youth 18 grade and placed a very good 4th to also gain selection to the Nationals in Hamilton.
Race report courtesy Wayne Smith
