2017 National Road Relay Rotorua Sat 30 Sep

Alan Stevens

Team List
Race Preview (ANZ)
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Results
Race Report (ANZ)
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Race Report NZ Herald/Rotorua Edition

The forthcoming National Road Relay Champs in Rotorua reminds me of the great relay races that we have lost.  There used to be an actual relay season with a lot of choices about which events to do.  

The Wellington to Masterton relay (which started at Post Office Square in the CBD), the Round the Ranges Relay starting and finishing in Palmerston North are just two of the great relay races that have now gone. In fact the only relay left with history is the Takahe to Akaroa relay which every four years becomes the national event. 

Everybody has a story about a relay, either the things that went wrong or the things that went right.  Relays are full of drama and none more so than the 2004 National Road relay at Wakefield in Nelson. 

This event comprised of 7 laps was held on sealed back roads and unsealed forestry roads.  130 teams took part across all grades.

The drama unfolded   when North Habour Bays (Bays Cougars) one of the two favoured teams ran a short first lap by turning too early, mistaking a marker cone as the turn point. 

The turn point was in fact further ahead. 

The result was that a time penalty was imposed on Bays Cougars which lifted the other favoured team, Scottish into first place. Because Cougars ran a short relay and were so far ahead it is hard to know which team would have won if there was no first lap error.  

Both clubs had an intense rivalry at the National Road Relay event over several years but today that seems to have disappeared.

I believe the Cone now forms part of the Scottish club’s collection of treasures purchased or acquired by fair means or foul by Alan Stevens who incidentally can tell a lot of stories about past relays.

There is also a largely untold story about Prime Minister Bill English before he became a politician. Bill was a member of Scottish for a short while last century and came out a couple of times on the Tuesday night club run. He was in a team for the Wellington to Masterton relay but apparently either missed his lap changeover or was late. So when Bill English says that one of his sporting interests includes running then he is not lying. But I doubt if he could beat his son Rory over 800m because that kid was pretty good.

Hamilton Hawks juniors with Jake and Zane Robertson

Scottish juniors. Do you know who they are? 

Scottish B team. Can you name them?

Can you name them?

Bays Cougars A. looking happy despite being relegated to 2nd place

Scottish A. Can you name them?

Dunedin's Ariki club. Can you spot the Olympian? 

2017 Perlorus Trust Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5km and Kids 1km Petone Sun 10 Sep

Results 

This is the 30th anniversary for the half-marathon although race choices today include distances from the marathon through to 1km (for the kids) plus walk options. The full marathon distance has been offered for the first time this year. 

The various courses seem to be a mix of everything and the route taken for the long races is unlikely to be boring. In fact the variety including twists and turns and changing surfaces  probably disqualifies the races from being considered as "fast" although others may disagree, 

For 2017 the half marathon doubles as the Wellington Half Champs which attracted some of the regions faster runners. First home was Hiro Tanimoto in 69.31 (new race record) with Dougal Thorburn next in 71.50. Both runners have been previous winners.

In the inaugural full marathon a tired looking Anthony Jackson finished below 3 hours in 2.56.04 with a huge gap back to the second placegetter who arrived at the tape in 3.18.53. The experienced Englishman, Jackson has a best time of 2.29.46 for the marathon and has raced everything from 100m and beyond.  

The 10km had some drama though as some of the lead runners went the wrong way at a critical point because there was no marchall on the spot to direct. This meant that the two runners leading ended up running further and losing their No 1 and 2 spots respectively. Ken Howell the race director acknowledged the glitch and said the organisers would recognise this when awarding prizes.

So at the finish it was Mark Moore who ended up on the winner podium with Ben Winder close on his tail. The respective times posted by these two were 34.49 and 34.53 with it all being decided on the run in to the finish. 

I have to mention that well known Trentham United race walker Daniel Du Toit took off in the 10k walk faster than a rocket full of monkeys to finish in 53.32. Club mate and national age grade female walking champion Jacque Wilson was second in a time of 1.05.46.

I have posted some photos below but not everyone will be shown because I did not cover all races.

Anthony Jackson inaugural full marathon winner

The leading bunch just after the start, Dan Clendon, Dougal Thorburn (Dr Doogie) and 2017 race winner Hiro Tanimoto

The Bert and Ben show getting into gear at the start

Hiro Tanimoto the new Wellington Half Marathon champ and race record holder

Sean Lake takes an early lead in the half-marathon walk

Half Marathon Photos

10km Photos