Waikato BOP Cross Country Champs 2015 Results
Report by Don Willoughby
This event was a mudlark’s heaven, held at the Narrows Christian camp. The course designers Glenn Sexton and Steve Rees-Jones have to be congratulated for returning cross country back to a genuine test over more traditional terrain. It was a challenging course with a mix of genuine hills and faster flat terrain and when the predicted weather bomb arrived just prior to the start of the first race, sloppy mud and fast flowing rivulets were added and running lines became another skills test for those taking part. On a sunny Friday as Murray Green, Glenn Sexton and the Rees-Jones family marked the course out, the only challenge was to remove frisky cows off the chosen route and the course really looked in splendid shape.
Just prior to the 12.30 start, as the rain bucketed down, it was discovered that cows had broken out and wrecked a marked section and a hasty new loop was marked out by Glenn and Steve. This was not the only livestock drama as during the first race sheep joined in and ran among the youngsters, and nearby horses were spooked into efforts to also join the action. Glenn became a troll under the bridge as a horse guard or, as he puts it, he became a horse whisperer, as he tried to control their entry onto the course. It was a day of drama but it did provide much positive comment from those taking part.
The Hawks Club were charged with running the champs and under trying conditions ran a great event. There were four seasons in less than four hours and the medal presentation was done in splendid sunshine in sharp contrast to the torrential downpour during racing. The results and timing team led by Graham and the course clean up team of John, Kent, Andrew and others all did a superb job. I was full of admiration for everyone’s efforts and I was proud to be a Hawk. Well done guys and girls. Glenn and Shona’s holiday break in Cairns is well deserved.
10 titles were won by Hawks athletes and they were as follows:
Lochie Montgomery B14 3km 10.47
Charli Miller G14 3km 11.05
Isaiah Priddey M18 6km 20.52
Ani Gemmill W18 4km16.23
Lance Brew SM 12km 45.40
Alice Mason SW 8km 31.46
Vicki Wade MW45 6km 27.05
Bridget Ray MW50 6km 27.06
Kent Hodgson MM45 8km 29.38
John Crane MM50 8km 30.01
