Southland Harriers eNewsletter

Results, Results, Results!!! New Zealand Cross Country Nationals Results

Thank you Amy Iversen and Ian Densie for putting all the results together. A big congratulations to everyone who stepped up to that start line. Some for the first time, and fantastic results from everybody. Southland thinks your all awesome!!

Evan McIntosh 1st, 80-84 Men

Debbie Telfer 1st, 65-69 Women

Jackie Blay 9th, 45-49 Women

Ryan Carr 2nd, 35-39 Men

Bobby Douglas 8th, Bryce McVicar 14th, 40-44 Men

Dwight Grieve 3rd, Scott Underhay 9th, Jason Russell 10th, 45-49 Men

Southland Masters Men Team, 3rd in 35-49 Men’s Team Category

Sienna Mackley 2nd, U20 Women

James Weber 14th, U20 Men

Marijn Wouters 49th, Antoine Trouche 50th, Senior Men

Millie McFadzien 5th, Abby O’Boyle 16th, U18 Women

Lewis Blay 16th, Fiunn Bell 24th, U18 Men

Cayden Sanginiti 20th, U16 Boys

Freya Gilmour 11th, U14 Girls

Craig Jnr Iversen 3rd, Sean Iversen 11th, U14 Boys

Queenstown, Fiunn Bell, Millie McFadzien, James Weber, Siena Mackley, 1st, U20 Mixed 4x2000m Team.

2025 China Southern Airlines NZ Cross Country & Relay Championships – Race Report by Dwight Grieve

Frost greeted the early runners at Christchurch’s Hagley Park for the NZ Cross Country Champs.

The course was reasonably flat but with some rises, golf bunkers and even a hurdle to break your stride BUT the real threat was the soft ground, energy sapping is the right description. There was a huge turnout of athletes across all grades, and the level of those there was high, it truly was a great event over all the age groups and any medals were well earned.

The day started well with double golds for Southland in the Masters Men 80-84 category, Evan MacIntosh and Debbie Telfer in the Masters Women 65-69 category. These two outstanding athletes add another win each to their long list of national age group titles.

Southland managed to gather 6 master men for individual age groups but also the teams race in the 35-49 ages. Dwight Grieve and Ryan Carr managed to fight near the front, with Ryan taking home silver in the 35-39 category and Dwight bronze in the 45-49 age group. Dwight only pipped Ryan by half a second... and was lucky the finish line arrived when it did! BUT even better, once the race was done and dusted, Bobbie Douglas, Scott Underhay, Jason Russell and Bryce McVicar had gone deep and with Dwight and Ryan won BRONZE in the teams category, beating out some tough runners.

Next up Siena Mackley collected another medal for Southland with a very hard-earned silver in the U20 Women 6000m, it was a great race with the front group slowly turning into 3 and then 2 for a sprint finish with Siena only just pipped at the line, and in another tough race, this one over 3000m, Craig Jnr Iverson collected a bronze in the U14 Boys race for his efforts.

Taking the final win of the day, by 33 seconds from the Olympic Harrier and Athletic Club, was by the Queenstown U20 Mixed team of Fiunn Bell, Millie McFadzien, James Weber and Siena Mackley.

Following the conclusion of racing, in true Southland style Scott Underhay took off after the race had finished for a quick hunt, bagging a pheasant, what a legend!

We know that everyone put in a gutsy effort and went deep to represent themselves, their clubs and Southland with pride! CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!

South Island Half Marathon-Lake Hood

For many of our club runners, a trip to the National Cross-Country Champs was not enough and they thought they might just pop down to Ashburton for a lap or 3 around Lake Hood. For some it looked like a cool down but for others another hard won race. With a two of our young guns on standing on the podium in the U20 Mens half marathon category. Congratulations Lewis Blay 1st place and CJ Iversen 2nd. She is a tough run around that lake. Sean Iversen place 3rd in his category and Freya Gilmour 2nd over the 7km distance.

Race Report by Freya Gilmour
On the 3rd of August was the South Island Half Marathon.
Running this race was enjoyable because of the scenery as you
ran beside Lake Hood. The terrain was great with minimal hills
and a variety of gravel, concrete, footpath and boardwalk.
Crossing the finish line was just what everyone needed after
running or walking so far because when you crossed you got an
incredible medal and there was a table with some drinks,
electrolytes and bananas to refuel.