NZ Cross Country Championships, 8am – 9pm, Saturday 2 August 2025

North Hagley Park, Christchurch, New Zealand

Visit the Event Website >> NZ Cross Country Championships 2025

The NZ Cross Country & Relay Championships took place in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park.  Using the never-before-raced course incorporating sections of the Hagley Golf Course, designed so fans can catch every step of the head-to-head racing right in the heart of Garden City

Leith had a large contingent of athletes representing Otago 

Otago & Leith Results & Report

Podiums for Mel Aitken and Kristy Eyles

Kristy Eyles finished won a bronze in the  MW 35+ grade and won gold in the MW40 grade 6km with a time of 24:08.10 

Mel Aitken won a silver in the MW45 grade 6km in a time of 25:11.68.

Leith also secured a team silver in the 4x2km Mixed Masters 35+ relay

See full Otago and Leith results below:

SM10km: 53 finishers Team Otago 4th

3 Oli Chignell Otago 31:42.06 #358 • Age: 27

26 Jake Owen Otago 34:43.06 #273 • Age: 20

28 Grayson Westgate Otago 35:07.14 #250 • Age: 22  (Leith)

42 Stephen Johnson Otago 37:38.18 #405 • Age: 30  (Leith)

43 Graham Fisher Otago 37:59.30 #249 • Age: 33  (Leith)

44 Leon Miyahara Otago 38:25.97 #617 • Age: 24

45 Sam Bradbury-Leather Otago 38:32.71 #597 • Age: 29  (Leith)

SW (23 finishers)

7 Becky Aitkenhead Otago 38:43.57 #524 • Age: 32

14 Becky de la Harpe Otago 40:00.30 #174 • Age: 21

WU20 (27 Finishers)

16 Kimberley Iversen Otago 24:40.42 #540 • Age: 19  (Leith)

MU20 (31 finishers)

19 Ruie Hyslop Otago 27:48.38 #390 • Age: 18

MM35 – 64 (60 Finishers) (Teams: 1 Auckland, 2 Cant, 3 Southland 4 Waikato, 5 Otago)

13 Oliver O’Sullivan Otago 28:25.76 #554 • Age: 38

22 Craig Iversen Otago 29:58.22 #538 • Age: 50 4th MM50+  (Leith)

38 Aaron Eyles Otago 31:58.20 #150 • Age: 42 11th MM40  (Leith)

39 Mark O’ Neill Otago 32:03.36 #331 • Age: 44 12th MM40  (Leith)

45 Aaron Porter Otago 32:48.75 #151 • Age: 43 

MW 35+ (44 Finishers) Otago 2nd Team

3 Kristy Eyles Otago 24:08.10 #301 • Age: 42 MW40 1st  (Leith)

5 Taryn McLean Otago 24:12.61 #573 • Age: 44 MW40 3rd

9 Aly Craigie Otago 24:57.52 #156 • Age: 41 MW40 4th

11 Mel Aitken Otago 25:11.68 #337 • Age: 48 MW45 2nd  (Leith)

15 Tess Molloy Otago 26:02.16 #408 • Age: 44 MW40 6th  (Leith)

18 Georgina Pakeho Otago 26:47.51 #245 • Age: 52 MW50 3rd

MM65+ (23 finishers)

4 Phil Napper Otago 26:24.50 #378 • Age: 72  (Gold Medal 70-74)

5 Ian McDonald Otago 26:27.67 #261 • Age: 66

4x2km Mixed Masters 35+

1st  Hill City University Athletic 28:46.80  (Gold Medallists)

‘A’ • O. O’Sullivan, A. Cragie, M. Geddes, T. McLean

2nd  Leith Harrier and Athletic Club 29:49.00  (Silver Medallists)

‘A’ • A. Eyles, T. Molloy, C. Iverson, M. Aitken

Mixed Open Relay 4x2km (20 Teams)

3rd  Caversham Harrier and Athletic

‘A’ • L. Miyahara, E. Kelleher, D. Kelleher, B. de la Harpe

9th   Hill City University Athletic

‘A’ • R. Hyslop, T. Weatherall, W. Bolter, J. Owen

10th  Leith Harrier and Athletic Club

‘A’ • G. Fisher, K. Iverson, S. Leather, K. Eyles

 

Southland XC Champs, Saturday 19 July 2025

Ivon Wilson Park, Te Anau, Southland

For full results >> Leith Cross Country Results 2025

Leith had three representatives at the Southland XC Champs this year. Congratulations on their fine running. See Craig’s article further below:

6km (21 F)

1 Siena Mackley Queenstown WU20 F 21:58.0

2nd Kimberley Iversen Leith WU20 F 24:57.0

1st Debbie Telfer Invercargill MW60-69 F 29:42.0

17th Megan Balchin (Leith) MW35-49 F 34:32.0

2km

5 Esme Palmer GU12 F 11:10.0 2km

3km/9km (33 M)

3km

5 Craig Jnr Iversen Invercargill BU14 M 11:19.0 1st

6 Sean Iversen Invercargill BU14 M 11:53.0

9km

2nd Craig Iversen Leith MM35-49 M 34:17.0

Craig Iverson had a challenging race – his story…

“Southland XC was a good pre-national hit-out. The course was a well-designed mix of grassy, leafy areas and dirt tracks with some decent rolling terrain with a couple of climbs per lap and sharp turns here and there. Kimberley has had a sore Achilles, but it had eased a little before the race, so did well as second U20 – 6km (a fair way back to the current National SS champion Siena Mackley). I had a terrible bit of luck in the 9km race with three spikes from my xc shoes turning almost sideways and some metal coming through the inner-sole, one of which pounded into my foot for about 8.5km of my 9km race. I just maintained my pace as best I could and ended up second MM 35-49 (running up a grade). Lesson learned to buy replacement xc spikes earlier! The best part for the family results wise was CJ Iversen (13) winning the U14 Boys 3km Race by 33s over his brother Sean (11) who was a much bigger margin ahead of third. Strong running from them both! The event was a good challenging run and a perfect day weather wise to compete.

 

 

Otago Cross Country Champs, Sunday 13 July 2025

Chisholm Links, 16 Tahuna Road, Tainui, Dunedin

Visit Event Website News Article for Online Entry and full details >> Otago Cross Country Champs, Sunday 13 July 2025

For full results >> Leith Cross Country Results 2025

Awesome results for Leith, individual and teams

Leith’s winning Senior Men’s team above, Nathan, Graham & Grayson (photo by Lynne Kerr)

Leith Results and Report Summary

Leith’s Grayson Westgate had a magnificent race in the 10km edging out the young Hill City-Uni runner Jake Owen by just 21 seconds to win the title win in 34:48. Graham Fisher finished not too far behind in a 3rd place 35:39 and together with fifth placed Nathan Shanks in 36:11 they achieved a fantastic team win for Leith in the Senior Men’s race

Kristy Eyles SW F 41:42  3rd Female SW (15th overall), Mel Aitken SW F 41:54  4th Female SW (16th overall) and Olivia Sutherland SW F 43:52  5th Female (19th overall) took out the Female teams title in the 10km

In the 6km race, Leith’s Kimberley Iversen had an awesome run winning the Women’s U20 title in 24:27.

In the 8km Race, apart from finishing third overall, Leith’s Craig Iversen also won the MM50-54 grade and the MM50+ Championship Title in 29:43.  Leith’s Ben Pigou finished 4th overall in the 8km and also won MM35-39 grade in 30:20 thereby also winning the MM35+ Championship title. 

In the 2km Leith’s Fleur Giudicelli won the race overall and also the GU12 grade in an excellent 8:29
Leith’s Laurie Armstrong finished third overall and also second in the GU12 grade in an excellent 8:42

See the full Leith results below which includes the Leith team placings: We now have the full confirmed Leith teams placings and further Leith Championship grade results available in PDF format. For full results >> Leith Cross Country Results 2025

10km

1st Grayson Westgate SM M 34:48 
3rd  Graham Fisher SM M 35:39 
5th Nathan Shanks SM M 36:11
6th  Stephen Johnson SM M 36:50
9th Theo Atkinson SM M 38:29
14th Fraser Bailey SM M 41:31
15th Kristy Eyles SW F 41:42
16th Mel Aitken SW F 41:54
18th Mica Goldsmith-Lonie SM M 43:08
19th Olivia Sutherland SW F 43:52

SM:Team’s Race:
First Leith 1, 3, 5 (9 points)
Grayson Westgate, Graham Fisher, Nathan Shanks
Second Leith 6, 9, 14 (29 points)
Stephen Johnson, Theo Atkinson, Fraser Bailey

8km

3rd Craig Iversen MM50-54 M 29:43
4th Ben Pigou MM35-39 M 30:20
5th Richard Campbell MM40-44 M 30:55
7th Mark O’ Neill MM40-44 M 32:16
11th Colin Tocher MM35-39 M 35:29
12th Matt Dent MM35-39 M 36:00
13th Christopher Holmes MM50-54 M 37:52
16th Steve Aitken MM60-64 M 43:15

Team’s Race: MM35-49
First Leith 1, 2, 4 (7 points)
Ben Pigou, Richard Campbell, Mark O’Neill

Team’s Race: MM50-64
First Leith 1, 2, 5 (8 points)
Craig Iversen, Christopher Holmes, Steve Aitken

6km

2nd Kimberley Iversen WU20 F 24:27 
5th Tess Molloy MW40-44 F 26:25
13th Alice Barach MW45-49 F 29:15
14th Marc Boulle MM70-74 M 29:35
15th Ian Morison MM65-69 M 30:32
18th Sue Cuthbert MW55-59 F 30:54
22nd Chris Sole MM65-69 M 35:11
23rd Pete Murray MM65-69 M 37:14
26th Dave McLean MM70-74 M 43:12

Team’s Race: MM65-69
First Leith 4, 7, 8 (19 points)
Marc Boulle, Chris Sole, Pete Murray

4km

12th Glenda Norris MW70-74 F 28:57
13th Jocelyn Springthorpe MW65-69 F 30:29 

2km

1st Fleur Giudicelli GU12 F 8:29
3rd Laurie Armstrong GU12 F 8:42
10th Huia Edmond-Smaill GU12 F 9:01
18th James O’ Neill BU12 M 9:46
26th Olive Stott GU10 F 10:34
28th Ailish O’ Neill GU10 F 10:39
30th Scarlett Stott GU10 F 11:06
35th Layla McDowall GU10 F 11:38

Team’s Race: Girls Under 10
First Leith 2, 3, 4 (9 points)
Olive Stott, Ailish O’ Neill, Ailish O’ Neill

 

Edmond Cup, 2pm Saturday 28 June 2025

Venue is Otakou Golf Club, Harington Point Road, Otakou

THE EDMOND CUP WAS CANCELLED due to bad weather conditions

Read ODT Online |Article >> Edmond Cup set to be run in seriously wet conditions

 

Barnes Cross Country Handicap Races, 10am Sunday 15 June 2025

Dunedin Rugby Football Club, Moana Rua Road, Dunedin

Popular winner for cross country >> ODT Online Report on Barnes Cross Country

For Full Results >> Cross Country Results 2025

Handicapped races around the Dunedin Rugby Football Club grounds ranging in distances up to 5km (Open Men & Women’s Grades) and shorter distances for younger athletes. 

Congratulations to these winners:  Leith Club President Chris Sole who won the 5km Handicap with Hill City-Uni runner Luke Geddes 2nd and Leith’s Colin Tocher third.  Leith finished equal second with Ariki in the teams race with Hill City-Uni taking the team title

Chris Sole and Colin Tocher receiving their medals

Colin Tocher 3rd, Chris Sole 1st, Luke Geddes 2nd

Most of the Leith Team

Course Map

Results

Boys & Girls Under 12 1.25km

First Across the Line: Nicholas Duncan (CAVH) 1; Walter Howard-Smith (CAVH) 2; Edwin Dent (COMM) 3.

Boys & Girls Under 12 Team’s Race:

Caversham (Nicholas Duncan, Walter Howard-Smith, Perry Saker, Lily Black) 23 points, 1; Leith 30 points, 2.

Fastest Times 1.25km:

Under 10 Boys: Nicholas Duncan (CAVH) 5:22, 1; Walter Howard-Smith (CAVH) 5:27, 2.
Under 10 Girls: Stella Hawken (HCYU) 5:47, 1; Olive Stott (LEIT) 5:51, 2; Hazel Tisch (LEIT) 6:18, 3.
Boys U12: Perry Saker (CAVH) 4:54, 1; Edwin Dent (COMM) 5:07, 2; James O’Neill (LEIT) 6:10, 3.
Girls U12: Genevieve Hodgson (HCYU) 5:12, 1; Lily Black (CAVH) 5:56, 2; Brooke Duncan (HCYU) 6:13, 3.

Boys & Girls U14/U16 2.5km

First Across the Line: Fergus Lloyd (COMM) 1; Travis Winterbourne (HCYU) 2; William Bolter (HCYU) 3.

Boys & Girls U14/U16 Team’s Race: 

Hill City University (Travis Winterbourne, William Bolter, Luie Broom, Penelope Hodgson) 15 points, 1.

Fastest Times 2.5km:
Under 14 Boys: Luie Broom (HCYU) 9:50, 1.
Under 14 Girls: Penelope Hodgson (HCYU) 10:38, 1; Niamh Porter (ARIK) 10:45, 2; Emerson Hawken (HCYU) 11:01, 3.
Under 16 Boys: William Bolter (HCYU) 8:16, 1; George Solomon (HCYU) 9:43, 2; Travis Winterbourne (HCYU) 944, 3.
Under 16 Girls: Eve Kelleher (CAVH) 9:30, 1.

Open Men & Women 5km Walk

First Across the Line: Phil Coakes (CAVH) 1; Jo Little (CAVH) 2; Sharyn Bungard (CAVH) 3.;

Phil Coakes (CAVH) 47:24, 1.

Open Women: Jo Little (CAVH) 38:15, 1; Sharyn Bungard (CAVH) 38:29, 2; Lara Findlater (CAVH) 38:50, 3.
Women 50-54: Lara Findlater (CAVH) 38:50, 1; Cherie McKinnon (HCYU) 40:29, 2.
Women 55-59: Sharyn Bungard (CAVH) 38:29, 1.
Women 60-64: Jo Little (CAVH) 38:15, 1; Lynne Kerr (CAVH) 40:56, 1; Janice Hughes (CAVH) 40:59, 3.

Open Men & Women 5km Run

First Across the Line: Chris Sole (LEIT) 1; Luke Geddes (HCYU) 2; Colin Tocher (LEIT) 3.

Open Men & Women 5km Team’s Race:

Hill City University (Luke Geddes, Tommy White, Lucy Fitzgerald, Joanna Hare, Carly Smith, Oliver O’Sullivan) 51 points, 1; Ariki and Leith 75 points, 2=.

Fastest Times 5km Run:
Overall Men: Jake Owen (HCYU) 15:49, 1; Grayson Westgate (LEIT) 16:01, 2; Oliver O’Sullivan (HCYU) 16:30, 3.
Overall Women: Becky de la Harpe (CAVH) 18:02, 1; Meg McKay (HCYU) 19:15, 2; Kristy Eyles (LEIT) 19:32, 3.
Girls Under 18: Lucy Fitzgerald (HCYU) 21:43, 1.
Men 20-34: Jake Owen (HCYU) 15:49, 1; Grayson Westgate (LEIT) 16:01, 2;Graham Fisher (LEIT) 16:31, 3.
Women 20-34: Becky de la Harpe (CAVH) 18:02, 1; Meg McKay (HCYU) 19:15, 2; Caitlin O’Donnell (LEIT) 19:43, 3.
Men 35-39: Oliver O’Sullivan (HCYU) 16:30, 1; Nathan Shanks (LEIT) 17:03, 2; Colin Tocher (LEIT) 20:59, 3.
Women 35-39: Emma Sutherland (ARIK) 21:49, 1.
Men 40-44: Hamish Dobson (ARIK) 18:28, 1; Aaron Eyles (LEIT) 18:33, 2; Phil Petersen (LEIT) 18:42, 3.
Women 40-44: Kristy Eyles (LEIT) 19:32, 1; Aly Craigie (HCYU) 19:48, 2; Tess Molloy (LEIT) 21:31, 3.
Men 45-49: Jonathan Ryan (CAVH) 18:21, 1; Chris Bisley (LEIT) and Mark Geddes (HCYU) 19:46, 2=.
Women 45-49: Mel Aitken (LEIT) 20:27, 1; Anita Dunbier (HCYU) 23:52, 1; Emily Harris (LEIT) 26:13, 3.
Women 50-54: Jade Lee (LEIT) 27:20, 1.
Men 55-59: Nick Heng (CAVH) 26:20, 1.
Women 55-59: Evelyn Armstrong (CAVH) 24:27, 1.
Men 60-64: Brent Halley (ARIK) 21:28, 1; Gordon Wong (CAVH) 22:53, 2; Steve Aitken (LEIT) 24:44, 3.
Women 60-64: Gail Sharp (CAVH) 26:38, 1.
Men 65-69: Andrew McCaig (CAVH) 23:00, 1; Barry Purton (HCYU) 23:47, 2; Chris Sole (LEIT) 26:10, 3.
Women 65-69: Dalise Sanderson (ARIK) 29:14, 1; Jocelyn Springthorpe (LEIT) 37:09, 2.
Men 70-74: Phil Napper (ARIK) 21:23, 1.
Women 70-74: Glenda Norris (LEIT) 35:43, 1.

 

Joe Cowie Memorial Bayfield Park 5km Handicap, Saturday 7 June 2025

Bayfield Sports Fields, Guthrie Pavilion, Bayfield Park.

Visit the Event Web Page for full details and results >> Joe Cowie Memorial Bayfield Park 5km Handicap 2025

 

Leith Cross Country Relays & Ponydale Challenge, Saturday 17 May 2025

Dunedin Branch Pony Club, 50 Three Mile Hill Road, Halfway Bush, Dunedin

Leith runners resolute in back-forth race << ODT Online Report by Luke Geddes, Mon 19 May 2025

Visit Event Website for full details and results/reports >> Leith Cross Country Relays & Ponydale Challenge

For Full Results >> Cross Country Results 2025

Once again the Leith Cross Country Relays & Ponydale Challenge had a enormously successful day out on the Ponydale Cross Country course. The weather was glorious, with light warm winds, becoming colder near the end of the event, with just a few drops of rain – 17 degrees high. Thanks to the race organisers, volunteers, Dunedin Pony Club, The Lion Foundation, the Otago Athletics clubs, Athletics Otago, the athletes and their supporters and the very patient horses in the closed paddock for putting up with us

There were some close battles between the teams and with the smoother surface conditions and no “Dodgy Ditch” the stage was set for some fast feet displays.  You can read the full reports on all the teams in the event website, but here we will be displaying a Leith oriented report which will contain articles from the runners themselves and plenty of photos. There will be some repeat reports from the Event Website due to Leith’s success in various categories

Leith Relays Report and Results

The Leith SM 1 team and the Leith Women’s “Tripe Threat” team won the feature Open Men’s and Open Women’s 4 x 4000m “The Gallop”. The Leith Men achieved a 4-peat title win in a tremendous battle with the Hill City-University HCU SM Yellow team. The Leith Women who won the Open Women’s category in the Gallop last year, won it again this year. Maybe next year we are looking at a three-peat?

The Gallop – Open Men

The victorious Leith SM1 Team – winners of the Open Men’s Title for the fourth time in a row

This was always going to be a tussle between Hill City-University and Leith Harriers in the Open Men’s category. Lovelock Relays again was not a reliable guide as to which team was going to prevail due to the difference in nature of the underfoot conditions. And of course the teams did not contain exactly the same personell.  This time it was 4 runners in a team, not the Lovelock’s 6 which balanced the depth out a bit.  Leith were going for a four-peat win

The Leith SM1 team of Grayson Westgate (third fastest time 13:37 Open Men), Dan Hayman, Stephen Johnson Graham Fisher (replacing last year’s member, Liam Chesney) went against the Hill City-Uni SM Yellow team of Ruie Hyslop (fastest time 13:17 Open Men), Sagar Khemani, George Bates and  Jake Owen (second fastest time 13:25 Open Men). The Leith team members were consistency personified and this is what won them the title for the fourth time in a row. Hyslop had given the HCU team a handy lead by the end of the first leg. However, Dan Hayman overtook HCU’s Khemani to put Leith into a significant lead from which the brave HCU men were unable to recover from. This despite Jake Owen’s superb effort in the last leg. Leith prevailed by 33 seconds to take the win in a final time of 55:40 to HCU Yellow team’s final time of 56:13.

A superb effort from the Leith SM2 team of Sam Bradbury-Leather, Tadhg Ryan-Charleton, McKay Watson, Liam Turk (fastest team time 14:30) resulted in a podium third place in this cagetory despite the attention of the Leith MM1 team which nearly took third place overall in The Gallop (final time 59:36)

The Leith SM3 team of Rocky Allan (fastest team time 14:42), James Davies, Sean Burtenshaw and James Davies 1:04:06 had an excellent race finishing 6th overall in The Gallop and 5th in the Open Men’s category for a final team time of 1:04:06. This despite Jame Davies having had to run both the second and fourth legs

The Gallop – Open Women

Again it was the the top female teams from Hill City-Uni and Leith which vied for honours in what proved to be the most exciting race of the afternoon.  The Leith teams were defending their title from 2023. The Leith Team aptly was named “Triple Threat” due to Kimberley Iversen running the first and last legs. The second Leith team in contention was the “Got the Trots” team consisting of Caitlin O’Donnell (second fastest time 16:22 in Open Women), Claudia Sole, Kristy Eyles and Margie Atthow which started off a lead going into the second leg after a magnificent run from Caitlin O’Donnell. 

The Triple Threat team consisting of Kimberley Iversen, Jessica Bray (fastest time 16:11 in Open Women) Anneke Muller, Kimberley Iversen was neck and neck with the HCU team by the start of the second leg both chasing the Got the Trots team. The HCU SW Yellow team consisting of Aly Craigie, Taryn McLean, Rebecca Allnutt and Meg McKay (third fastest time 16:23 in Open Women) never relinquished the pressure throughout the race. Jessica Bray’s amazing run put Leith into a significant lead over the Got the Trots and the Yellow teams by the start of the third leg.

The Yellow team now lying third but with a never-say-die attitude reeled in the Got the Trots team on last leg and started “threatening” the Triple Threat team with the Yellow team’s last two runners, Rebecca Allnutt and Meg McKay. They overcame the Got the Trots brave effort by just 12 seconds for a final team time of 66:59 and even came close to taking the title falling just short by 9 seconds to the Triple Threats final winning team time of 66:48 in the type of thrilling contest that this event so often produces. The brave Leith “Got the Trots” team were in it to the end for their third place podium in a final team time of  67:20

With four of the five contesting teams in the Open Women’s category, Leith provided a blue tinge to the pony paddocks. Finishing fourth, the Leith Hoof Hustlers team of Olivia Sutherland SW, Nina Batucan SW (fastest team time 17:21) , Claudia Cooke SW and Jessica McNeilly SW had a final team time of 1:14:05.  Last but not least was the Leith Mar-e-go Round and Round team of Manya Sabherwal MW35, Claire Charleton SW, Chantal Whitby MW35 (fastest team time 19:53) and Grace Perry SW in a final team time of 1:26:41

The Gallop – MM35+

Outstanding running from these chaps Leith MM1
photo by Craig Iversen

The Leith MM1 team of Richard Campbell, Aaron Eyles (third fastest grade time 15:18), Craig Iversen (second fastest grade time 14:34) and Nathan Shanks (fastest grade time 14:16) were outstanding in their MM35+ category race with Craig Iversen’s and Nathan Shanks’s supreme effort almost overhauling the Leith SM2 by just short of 14 seconds. However this team still had to win the MM35+ category and it’s biggest threat was the Ariki MM35+ team consisting of Hamish Dobson, Xaviour Walker, Eddie Smith and Aaron Porter. However the overall depth of the Leith team ensured a comfortable win with a final time of 59:40 to the Ariki team’s 64:48. This was the Leith Master Men’s 35+ seventh win in a row in the 4×4 relay (now called The Gallop). An amazing statistic. 

Third podium place was taken by the Leith MM2 team of Hayden Scorringe, Mark O’Neill, Christopher Tipper and Colin Tocher which ran exceedingly well for a final team time of 73:02

Aaron Eyles writes vividly about his Team’s Performance

The teams started arriving and as we chatted and met up with the various teams and clubs it soon became apparent there were three teams that were very similar in calibre and depth. My team, Leith MM1, then Leith SM2 and Ariki MM1. After lashings of sandbagging and the understating of form that we all do, the stage was set.

Lap One: Sam Bradberry-Leather (LSM2) set a dominating pace to be well clear. Richard Cambell (LMM1) ground out two good laps to finish 30 seconds in front of Hamish Dobson (AMM1)

Lap Two: Tadhg Ryan-Charleton (LSM2) was away with a healthy lead and Aaron Eyles (LMM1) in pursuit matching each other on lap One and then Aaron halving the lead coming into transition. Ariki hung tough in third place where they stayed for the remainder of the “race with-in a race.”

Lap Three: This is where things started getting interesting with McKay (who is this guy?) Watson (LSM2) taking the “baton” and having a blistering first lap to extend their lead on the Masters Machine from the south that is Craig Iverson (LMM1). Not to be out done Craig clawed back 20 seconds and became one of the very few to negative split this tough course with a very solid second lap!

Lap four: The final dance had arrived! Liam Turk (LSM2) with a slender lead on Nathan Shanks (LMM1) out of transition. Lap One had Nathan slowly reeling in Liam finishing the first of two laps with grimaces on their faces were showing how deep they were pushing each other. Nathan at this point showed his prowess getting up to within a couple of strides of Liam in what I thought would set us master’s up for victory…….I was wrong! As I stood at the top of heart break hill (the hill with Chris Sole at the top) with Imogen (Liams partner) who was about to be sick from the tension of the race! This is where Liam found another gear, going deep and destroyed the hill! Topping out he let it all go and plummeted to victory with Nathan a hand full of seconds behind.

Cross Country is Awesome!”

Leith Ponydale Challenge Report and Results

In an all Leith podium, Ben Pigou was the winner of this gruelling event. having negotiated the tricky cross country course 2km lap 18 times within the 3 hour deadline.  The field started at 12.30pm with The Canter (Race 1) runners and on the last lap it was touch and go as to whether each runner would be able to complete the full “last” lap on the 3 hr chime. A couple fell agonisingly short.  Both Ben and the second placed Sean Galdeman finished their 18th lap, but Ben finished it quicker over the last lap prevailing by just 57 seconds over Sean. They both completed 36km. Third placed Simon Perry finished 16 laps, 32km in the three hours

The women’s category also had a thrilling close finish. In again an all Leith podium, Alice Cuthbert and Laura Bungard both completed 16 laps, 32km within the three hours, but Cuthbert crossed the line first.

The Canter – Open Women

First Leith team and third in this event was the Leith Thoroughbreds team of Emily Harris MW35-49 (fastest team member 11:01) , Glenda Norris MW60+, Jocelyn Springthorpe MW60+ and Imogen Holmstead-Scott SW for a total team time of 52:46.  The winners were the The Caversham Fillies team in a total team time of 32:29. Second was the HCU SW Sky Blue team in a total team time of 0:35:36

The Canter – MW35+

Although no other MM35+ team turned to challenge them, the Leith Mane Attraction team of Siobhan McKinlay MW50-59, Alice Barach MW35-49, Sue Hendry MW50-59 and Angela Bishop MW35-49 (fastest team member 8:41) stuck to its task in getting a results in the overall Canter placings. Their total team time was an excellent 0:39:08 finishing 13th of 22 teams. They will be well pleased with their result.

The Canter – MM60+

Although no match for the strong Ariki(&Rob) MM60 team, the “The Legends of Leith” the MM4 team of Jamie Sinclair MM70+, Marc Boulle MM70+ (fastest team time 9:41), Pete Murray MM(70-2 months) and Dave McLean MM70+ put a good effort. This was the oldest team in The Canter with Peter Murray just months away from celebrating his 70th birthday. In a grand gesture Dave gave Peter 2 months of his life to make him 70 for the event. The team was happy though to post a total team time of 45:33 in finishing 16th out of 22 teams in The Canter 

The Short Trot

There was some keen cross country running from the younger kids. They had two log jumps along the way, but took them in their stride. First across the line over the 930m distance in a dead heat were Ariki’s Sammy Walker 4:19 and Leith’s Laurie Armstrong in 4:19. There was an unknown result for third (4:31) but fourth across the line was Caversham’s Jonathon Duncan in 4:47

The first three girls to finish were:
1 Laurie Armstrong (Leith) 4:19
2 Lucy Black (Cavy) 4:48
3 Olive Stott (Leith) 5:07

The first three boys to finish were:
1 Sammy Walker (Ariki) 4:19
2 Jonathon Duncan (Cavy) 4:47
3 James O Neill (Leith) 5:09

The Long Trot

Leith didn’t have any teams competing in this event

 

Shoe Clinic Dunedin Lovelock Relays, Saturday 3 May 2025

University Oval, Main Ground, Logan Park, Dunedin

Organised by Hill City-University Harriers

Clubs share titles, demonstrating depth of talent >> ODT Online Report – Mon 5 May 2025

For indepth details about the event please visit the Event Website >> Lovelock Relays 2025

For Full Results >> Cross Country Results 2025

Summary Report

Congratulations to all those who took part, supported and assisted in the running of the relays.  Especially the organisers Hill City-Uni Harriers and Athletics Otago officials. 

The Leith Senior Women SW1 took the title with magnificent running from all the team members. In fact, Leith took the trifecta in this race, with Leith SW2 finishing second and Leith SW3 finishing third. Caitlin
O’Donnell achieved second fastest time of 05:15 in the SW and Open grade. Katie Smith achieved 3rd fastest time of 05:37. The Leith MW1 team finished second in the MW35 grade. The Leith MW2 finished 3rd in MW35 grade. Here Sue Hendry achieved second fastest time of 06:35 in the MW50 grade. 

The Leith Senior Men finished second to a high quality and youngish looking Hill City-Uni Team with Stephen Johnson leading the way with the second fastest time of 04:20.  The Leith MM1 team finished third in the MM35+ grade with Ben Pigou achieving second fasted time of 04:52 in the Open and MM35 grade. The Leith MM4 team finished 2nd in the MM50 grade with Allan Carmen fastest time of 05:15 in the MM50 grade. Luke
McKinlay with 05:47 was second fastest in the MM50 grade. Nolan Hill with 05:48 was equal 3rd fastest

Full Leith Results

Leith had 22 Teams (92 participants) competiing in the various grades:

Race 2: Under 12 Mixed

Leith Kids Team 2, Finished first but due to runner running more than one leg was deemed an ineligible team
James O’Neill, Huia Edmond-Smaill, James O’Neill, Fleur Giudicelli  Total Time 04:46

Leith Kids Team 1, 5th MixU12, 12th Open Rank 
Ailish O’Neill, Jordan O’Byrne, Scarlett Stott, Oscar Bishop   Total Time 05:20

Leith Kids Team 5, 6th MixU12, 13 Open Rank
Isaiah Chin, John Garvey, Harriet Liddel, Alex Scorringe   Total Time 05:31

Leith Kids Team 4, finished seventh, but due to runner running more than one leg was deemed an ineligible team 
Dominic O’Byrne, Callum Scorringe, Olive Stott, Callum Scorringe  Total Time 05:34

Leith Kids Team 3, finished 8th, but due to runner running more than one leg was deemed an ineligible team
Ellie Pattillo, Epson Lorenz, Archer Hendry, Epson Lorenz   Total Time 05:42

Race 4: Masters Women (35+)

Leith MW1, Second MW35, 7th Open Rank
Mel Aitken 05:48, Anna O’Byrne 05:51, Ange Bishop 05:47, Katie Smith 05:45  Total Time 23:10

Leith MW2, Third MW35, 13th Open Rank
Sue Hendry 06:35, Gaya Gnanalingam 06:54, Siobhan McKinlay 06:53, Chantal Whitby 06:31  Total Time 26:53

Leith MW3, 5th MW35, 16th Open Rank
Donna Tumaru 07:45, Jade Lee 07:14, Glenda Norris 09:37, Lucy Marr 07:13  Total Time 31:50

Race 4: Masters Men (35+)

Leith MM1, 3rd MM35, 3rd Open Rank
Phil Petersen 05:07, Hayden Scorringe 05:20, Mark O’Neil 05:01, David Liddell 05:24  Total Time 20:52

Leith MM3, 4th MM35, 5th Open Rank 
Chris Bisley 05:09, Colin Tocher 05:42, Christopher Tipper 05:58, Adam Clarke 05:58   Total Time 22:47

Leith MM5, 5th MM35, 6th Open Rank
Ben Pigou 04:52, Michael Hoogeveen 06:29, Nolan Hill 05:48, Mark O’Donnell 05:53   Total Time 23:01

Leith MM4, 2nd MM50, 9th Open Rank
Allan Carmen 05:15, Luke McKinlay 05:47, Steve Aitken 07:01, Ian Morison 06:33  Total Time 24:35

Leith MM2, 4th MM50, 15th Open Rank
Marc Boulle 06:34, Chris Sole 07:4, Dave McLean 08:39, Pete Murray 07:46   Total Time 30:41

Race 4: Individual Medalists:

MW35 3rd Katie Smith 05:37
MW50 2nd Sue Hendry 06:35
MM35 2nd Ben Pigou 04:52
MM50 1st Allan Carmen 05:15, 2nd Luke McKinlay 05:47, =3rd Nolan Hill 05:48
Open 2nd Ben Pigou 04:52 

Race 5: Senior Women

Leith SW1, 1st Senior Women, 1st Open Rank
Stephanie Wilson 05:18,  Caitlin O’Donnell 05:15, Claudia Sole 05:31 Alice Cuthbert 05:26   Total Time 21:29

Leith SW2, 2nd Senior Women, 2nd Open Rank 
Jessica Bray 05:26, Izzy Macdonald 05:46, Martha Vickers 05:49, Laura Bungard 05:33  Total Time 22:34

Leith SW3, 3rd Senior Women, 3rd Open Rank 
Nina Batucan 05:39, Jennifer Duffy 05:49, Olivia Sutherland 05:47, Jess Sebelin 05:45   Total Time 22:59

Leith SW4, 7th Senior Women, 7th Open Rank
Imogen Holmstead-Scott 07:20, Grace Perry 06:21, Hope Duncan 07:36, Antonia Radlwimmer 07:33  Total Time 28:50

Race 5: Individual Medalists:

SW 2nd Caitlin O’Donnell 05:15, 3rd Stephanie Wilson 05:18
Open 2nd Caitlin O’Donnell 05:15, 3rd Stephanie Wilson 05:18

Race 6: Senior Men

Leith SM1, 2nd Senior Men, 2nd Open Rank 
Stephen Johnson 04:20, Graham Fisher 04:26, James Davies 04:50, Jude Deaker 04:34, Finbar Chesney 04:39, Nathan Hill 04:34   Total Time 27:23

Leith SM2, 4th Senior Men, 4 Open Rank
Theo Nicholson 04:48, Rocky Allan 04:58, Theo Atkinson 04:51, Mckay Watson 04:48, Sean Galdeman 04:43,  Fraser Bailey 05:03  Total Time 29:10

Leith SM4, 5th Senior Men, 5 Open Rank 
Liam Turk 04:34, Nathan Shanks 04:45, Mica Goldsmith-Lonie 05:18, Corey Lewis 05:01, Sam Bradbury-Leather 04:44, Paddy Ou 05:35   Total Time 29:58

Leith SM3, 8th Senior Men, 8th Open Rank 
Amarjeet Singh 05:52, Calan McDermott 05:55, Harjinder Chander 06:10, Gurjeet Baidwan 06:07, Sean Burtenshaw 05:37, Sandor Toth 05:01   Total Time 34:42

Race 6: Individual Medalists:

SM 2nd Stephen Johnson 04:20 
MM35 1st Nathan Shanks 04:45, 2nd Gurjeet Baidwan 06:07
Open 2nd Stephen Johnson 04:20