Report by Don Willoughby

A huge thank you to Glenn Sexton and his team for the organisation of the WBOP road champs last weekend. I was blown away by the course setting, the park like appearance the lack of traffic and the supportive land owner so congrats Glenn you did a stupendous job. The future potential for the Hawks club to hold events here is great news.

There appeared to be some good fields and close racing and Hawks athletes produced some promising results. Going logically through the grades Rylee Mardon gave the club a great start with a win in the first race G10 over 2km in 8.11. Cory Brew was 3^rd in the B10 with 12.32, Rosie Miller was 2^nd in G12 with 9.31. Pocket rocket  Mathijjs Wetzels zipped through 2km quickly to win the B12 event with a smart 6.42. In the same race Kallum Mardon was 7^th in 7.27 while Donovan Farrell was next with 7.53.

Moving out to the G14 Charli Miller had an impressive win over 2.5km clocking 8.22 and was chased hard by Sam Corbett 2^nd in 9.06 and Jemima Antoniazzi in 3^rd on 9.20. What a nucleus of talent here among these youngsters.  There was quality racing over 5km with Grace Ritchie winning the W18 title in 18.22 with Monique Macdonald 2^nd in 21.08. Emerson Deverell won the W20 in an encouraging 18.08 after a very solid training week on hills and looks in great shape for the World Mountain in running chaps in Bulgaria in a few weeks. Rose Dillon was 2^nd 19.55 and Hannah Howarth 3^rd on 21.06. Also over 5km Bridget Deverell took out the MW45 title with 19.28 and we wish her well in the World Masters Mountain champs in North Italy this Sunday. Shona Dewson was 2^nd in 24.30. Kay Stockman despite butt problems won the MW 50 in 23.42 while Marion MIllward had a classy win in the W+MW 55 race with a 21.06 clocking. Also over 5km Mathijis Wetzels was 2^nd in 16.52 with Connor Tristram 4^th in 17.32.

The main race over 10km saw Jai Davies-Campbell run 33.25 for 3^rd with Malcolm King 6^th in 36.40 and Sunil Fertnandez-Ritchie 7^th. 37.38. Lance Brew was fastest masters taking out the MM35 title with 35.44 while Mike Causer was 4^th in 36.20. Moving up to the next masters grade 45-49 Andrew Wark was 3^rd 36.37, Mark Scott 4^th 37.747, Mike Harris 6^th 38.19 and Nick Freke 7^th in 38.36  John Crane was 2^nd MM50 in 35.48 after a close battle with Tauranga’s John Caiae.  Kevin Knowles won the MM55 race in 39.20 Grahame Clarkin was 5^th MM60 54.57 David Trow won the MM70 with 60.35.

In the women’s field Nancy Jiang had an excellent race for 2^nd ahead of 3^rd Olivia Ritchie 37.29 to 37.37. Elise Salt was 4^th 38.51, Veronica Lang 6^th in 42.07 and Dawn Tuffery 7^th 44.34.  With the national road relay champs in Rotorua looming weekly hard road racing is vital so we look forward to great club  turn out at Cambridge this coming weekend.

See more photos here