Race Report – Ariki’s Niamh Porter wins Bayfield 5km 

Ariki’s Niamh Porter determined to win this one – photo Keith Weatherston (HCU)

We had superb weather today, sunny and calm conditions with light variable winds. 56 competitors turned up from Hill City-University, Ariki, Leith, Civil Service and also non-clubmembers.

First across the line on handicap in the 5km was Niamh Porter from Ariki, intermediate Mixed grade.  Off a handicap of 11:50 minutes finishing in 38:03 on handicap with an actual time of 26:31.  Second across the line on handicap was walker Cherie McKinnon of Hill-City University, MW50+, off go coming across the line in 40:08 on handicap and with an actual time of 40:08.  Third across the line on handicap was Peter Hughes, Leith MM60+, off 20:00 coming across the line in a handicap time of 45:25 with an actual time of 25:24

Fastest time honours went to Janus Staufenberg, Leith SM with an actual time of 15:05.  Second fastest was Liam Chesney, Wellington Harrier Athletic Club SM with an actual time of 15:47.  Third fastest was Matt Bolter Hill City University SM with an actual time of 16:14.  Fastest female was Olivia Thornbury, Leith SW with an actual time of 18:04. Fastest Intermediate Mixed runner was William Bolter who finished with an actual time of 23:09

In the Primary Mixed one-lapper (1km), first across on handicap was Albert Smith crossing in 7:42 off a handicap of 3:30 for an actual time of 4:12. Second across on handicap was Violet Pakeho crossing in 8:16 off a handicap of 4:00 for an actual time of 4:16. Third was Luke Smith crossing in 8:19 off go for an actual time of 8:19.  Fastest time went to Albert Smith with an actual time of 4:12

Leith Race Report – Peter Hughes wins Joe Cowie Memorial

Peter makes a comeback – big time – photo by Keith Weatherston (HCU)

Leith had 29 athletes finishing the handicap 5km race. First across the line on handicap and winner of the Joe Cowie Memorial for 2023 was Peter Hughes MM60+ his time on a handicap of 20:00 was 45:25, his actual time  was 0:25:25.  Second was Christine Montgomery MW50+ her time off a handicap of 23:00 was 46:11,her actual time 0:23:11. Third was Ryan O’Donnell MU18 his time off a handicap of 24:30 was 47:58, his actual time 0:23:28.  Fastest Leith runner was Janus Staufenberg SM in an actual time of 0:15:05. Fastest Leith female was Olivia Thornbury SW in an actual time of 18:04. In the Primary Intermediate 1km Handicap race, first Leith athlete to cross the line on handicap was James O’Neill 

Collage of day’s Action – Photos by Keith Weatherston (HCU)

Event Description

This is a free Handicap 5km held around the manicured Bayfield Park fields (1km, 2km, 3km and 4km options also offered). Hill City-University and Ariki joined Leith in this event and used the Leith Online Entry System.  The 1km Lap grassed course (map below) is perfect as it provides good visual feedback as to how you are progressing. The Handicap, is a method of enabling the slowest walkers/runners to compete against the fastest. A different but fun way to walk and run. If you provide your most accurate current or predicted 5km (flat) time, we can calculate the start times for each person. If you get it right, everyone should be sprinting towards the Finish together. This is similar to what we do on Tuesday Training night’s so no one gets left behind.

Ariki AC opened its Guthrie Pavilion Clubhouse which has change-rooms, showers and toilets.