2014 Shaw Baton Relays Battle Hill Pauatahanui Sat 26 Apr

Gary Weston-Webb - Aug 1953 - Apr 2014

The sad news today is the announcement that Gary Weston-Webb (aka Wally Weta) passed away suddenly seemingly at work. Gary was a superb runner and long-time member of the WHAC A team in the 1980's that conquered all locally. Gary was often seen on lunchtime runs as part of Roger Robinson's sausage session group and with his distinctive head of hair resembled Charles I in shorts. Gary helped design the core of the current Vosseler Shield course and the infamous five-hills training run. In more recent times he has been a committee member of Karori Athletics and helped launch the new Kids XC series that started last year. Last month he was helping at the gate at the National T&F Champs at Newtown Park. Gary was a witty guy who will be missed for his pithy coments and dry sense of humour. He will be a huge loss to the running community.

WESTON WEBB, Gary Ronald. - Suddenly on 16th April 2014 at Te Puni Kokiri House, Wellington, aged 60 years. Gary's family offer heartfelt thanks to his work friends, the emergency services people who attended and to Te Puni Kokiri House for all their kindness and support. Messages may be sent to 'The Weston Webb Family', PO Box 10987, The Terrace, Wellington. A service to celebrate Gary's life will be held at Te Puni Kokiri House, 143 Lambton Quay, Wellington on Wednesday, 23rd April 2014 at 11.00am, followed by interment at Nga Iwi o te Motu (Urupa) at Makara Cemetery.

2014 Blast From The Past 1 - University Relays (late 80's or early 90's)

 

This photo has been plucked from Jonothan Wyatt's Facebook page with the following comment;

"A blast from the past. University relays out on the Kapiti coast of NZ with a much younger Jono scampering off. Thanks Gavin for posting, they don't make singlets like that any more"

The shot appears to have been taken just after the start of the main race where the course dips sharply down the bank. Jono is out in front closely followed by a swag of other first lap runners including Graham Tattersall (WHAC) with Bruce Blair (WHAC) just to his right. Scottish don't feature because for many years they chose not to turn up with the exception of Don's juniors. The reasons for this are not entirely clear but I believe it has something to do with Scottish giving up a race to reduce pressure on the winter programme only to have the University Relays take its place. I don't think Scottish were happy with that arrangement. Anyway a great photo even if it is out of focus and a bit fuzzy.

2014 Le Gaye Races Island Bay Wellington Sat 12 Apr

 

This event is made up of a walking race a junior race and an open race. It uses the streets of Island Bay. Because the suburb is long and narrow with hills either side of the flat corridor to the sea it is difficult to avoid traffic which seems to be increasing. For the junior race the Derwent St/Humber St intersection seems to be especially risky and for the open race the Owhiro Bay-Island Bay Esplanade heading into Island Bay is particularly gnarly.

In the past the Le Gaye has been well attended mainly because it is the first club race of the season and used as selection for the Shaw Baton relays. This year there were 59 finishers in the open race compared to 74 in 2013.  The reason for the drop in numbers is not obvious although there were a few people at the NZ Mountain Running Champs in Nelson. Perhaps the weather and the prospect of running up an unforgiving hill played a part in the lower turnout.

Results

 

2014 Kiwi Wins the Queen Street Golden Mile Sun 6 Apr

In form Hamish Carson and long distance runner Lydia O’Donnell win the Queen Street miles

Hamish Carson, fresh from winning his fourth national 1500m title in Wellington last week, used his lethal finishing kick to good effect to win the Queen Street mile in 4m 5s.

Carson was content to sit back early in the race and allow Oska Inkster-Baynes to set the pace.

Former American 1500m champion Craig Miller made a bid for victory mid way through the scramble down the city main thoroughfare but Carson was well positioned on his shoulder. Entering the wharf area and the finish Carson let fly and to the cheers of the large crowd breasted the tape to be congratulated by Sir John Walker.

Malcolm Hicks, the national 5000m champion from last week, was second in 4m 6s with American 800m runner Mark Husted third clocking 4m 7s.

After only a fifth placing last year in 3m 54.42s Carson was pleased with the win.

"I’m really happy I could go away with a win today. We started off with an uphill so I took my time there and started at the back. I was with Miller crossing Quay Street and on the blue matting I thought right now is the time to go," he said.

"I’ve raced Miller a couple of times before and always have come up a bit short so I’m really glad I got him today," he added.

Carson is off to the States tomorrow in a bid to get a qualifying time in the 1500m for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Hicks who is chasing a berth to the Glasgow Games in the 5000m, said it was a good blow out before he too heads to the States.

"Hamish really turned it on just as we came on to the wharf with 100m to go. I tried to respond and I think I did relatively well to hold the other guys who were catching me. I’m very happy with second a good result after a few hard weekends of racing," said Hicks.

Lydia O’Donnell gave none of the other women a chance in the women’s race leading from start to finish. The national 10,000m track champion headed in Annika Pfitzinger and Anna Bramley in 4m 38s.

O’Donnell said it was satisfying to finally get a good race in.

"It was really fun, it’s so different than being on the track, with such a buzz having this crowd here," she said.

"After racing the 5000m and 1500m at the nationals last week, a big weekend it rolled over well to this week, but now it is time for a break."

Pfitzinger said that it was a bit of a shock to the system coming a week after the nationals.
"I just got into a rhythm and just hoped for the best," she said.

Pfitzinger is the partner of Carson and she will join him in the States in racing in California and doing altitude training at Boulder Colorado.

Queen Street Golden Mile

Results:

Men.-
Hamish Carson (Wgtn) 4m 5s 1, Malcolm Hicks (Akld) 4m 6s 2, Mark Husted (USA) 4m 7s 3, Craig Miller (USA) 4m 8s 4, Luke Mathews (Aust) 4m 9s 5, Tim Cornish (Wgtn) 4m 13s 6.

Women.-
Lydia O’Donnell (Akld) 4m 38s 1, Annika Pfitzinger (Akld) 4m 42s 2, Anna Bramley (Akld) 4m 50s 3, Tina Harris (Wgtn) 4m 52s 4, Emily Roughan (Hamilton) 4m 58s 5, Amy Shaw (Akld) 5m 8s 6.


Source

2014 Scottish Morning Wellington Waterfront Race Sat 5 Apr

A beautiful day in Wellington which at 8,00am brought out plenty of dogs taking their owners for a walk, joggers, cyclists, walkers and sightseers. Not an auspicious start to the 5k or 10k option race though. There were 36 participants which given the size of the club must be disappointing for the organisers. This is especially so given the fantastic racing conditions.  From my perspective the turn-off could be the over-used course that offers few challenges to those who already run the same bit of pavement in training or as part of the Tuesday night 5k race series.  There is essentially no point of difference between the two events apart from the early morning start for the new Saturday series and the 10k option. I also doubt also if the $10 entry fee will attract a lot of non-Scottish club members given that the entry fee for the Tuesday night race is $8 with a free beer thrown in.  We will have to wait and see if interest picks up for the rest of the series. Results

 

Nick Horspool (32.57) unchallenged in the 10k