Tauranga Cross Country 2014 Results

“Where have all the runners gone” was a plea from Malcolm Taylor at last weekend’s Tauranga Cross Country. This club puts on a very well run event annually  on an excellent running surface and as a cross country nut from way back I was saddened to see how few took part. Events like this will die if all clubs don’t support them.  Is the timing wrong, should it be a week later, should it be on a Sunday or even should it be held at all?

It was a lovely late autumn day and a few club runners took part in small fields. Lucy Farrell took out the G12 race with an excellent run. School runners from Waikato Diocesan, Hamilton Boys and St Peters School used the event to gain race experience as they prepare for the national schools cross country to be held at Massey University on June 21. Grace Ritchie was all class in winning the W18 race in 16.32 over 4060m. Hamilton Boys trio of Isaiah Priddey, Sam Montgomerie and Connor Tristram ran full tilt for two laps of their M18 race over 6060m. They confused officials when they jogged the last lap as a warm down. As they race 4000 in the Junior Boys race at Palmy it was understandable from a coaching perspective. They jogged across the finish in 4th= which allowed Leon Arcus Ham Boys to take out the M18 race in 22.27, with Matthew Scott  St Peters 2nd in 22.54 and Finn Myles Ham Boys in 3rd with 23.39. World class masters runner Sally Gibbs was all class in winning the women’s race over 6060 while Steve O’Callaghan looked good in winning the senior men’s race over 8060m Tony Olsen Te Awamutu was 5th in the men’s event in 31.06, Marc Scott was next in 32.34 Dale Bull 11th and Grahame Clarkin 21 were other Hawks runners who took part.

Tauranga Open XC 24 May 2014 Full Results

Photos – Thanks to Tauranga Ramblers.  Check out their Facebook page for more photos.

Click on photo for slideshow.

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