Southland Harriers eNewsletter

Volunteer Week 2026

We may sound a bit like a broken record over the last couple of weeks, but Southland Athletics, Harriers and Clubs need more volunteers. From the Governance Board, to the committee, from coaches, to results manager, from Facebook contributors to newsletter writers. The exciting part about new volunteers is that they bring new ideas and new enthusiasm which is always a good thing. Also many hands make light work, and ensure that athletics as a sport both winter and summer can continue.

Last week Linda Te Au, an inspirational runner and volunteer was honoured at the Murihiku Sports Awards, with a service to sports award and I believe her words run very true. Thank you Linda for everything you have done and continue to do for Southland Harriers.

You’ve entered a race, you’ve trained for it, booked your flights and accommodation and the countdown is on. But how do you feel when the event has to be cancelled because there are no timekeepers, no marshals on the course or no volunteers at the finish to hand you a medal?

When I first began running half marathons I soon realised that it took a lot of people a lot of time and effort so that I could run 21kms. Some volunteers were on the course a lot longer than me and they were friendly, smiling and encouraging the first runner to the very last runner.

There’s a sense of achievement in running a race knowing you’ve given it everything you can as you cross the line. But there’s also a sense of pride as a volunteer or an official knowing that you have been the reason someone else has crossed the line feeling that same sense of achievement.

There’s a saying that you get back more than you give out and I experience it all the time as a volunteer. I am encouraged and inspired in my running journey by helping others as they achieve personal bests or share their efforts with me afterwards.

I would encourage every athlete to give back to their sport by volunteering at an event or learning more about becoming an official. Your dream as an athlete might be a NZ title, world championship or Olympic gold. But you can also be part of someone else’s dream by volunteering.

It was an honour to be acknowledged by my fellow athletes at the recent ILT Murihiku Sports Awards and I appreciate Athletics Southland and Southland Harriers for nominating me. Running and volunteering for me are linked. I will do both for as long as I can.

Race 3 Shoe Clinic Series-Miller Farm

39 Runners and 8 Volunteers participated in Saturdays event.

For those who come back year after year Miller Farm is our most epic event of the year, and our amazing hosts The Miller Family never fail to put on a fantastic day. There is so many highlights to this event its hard to know where to start. 1st off Quinton never lets us know where we will be running, so even as organizers and return runners every year is a surprise.

This year we were back between the hay bales at the top of the farm track looking down into the valley below. The question was how low would we go? This year's Senior course was 5.5kms and juniors 3.5km, a mainly downhill start quickly changed to a zig, zag up and down mowed course through the Millers Fields. Some fantastic handicapping ensured that most of us “seasoned” runners were passed by the local “champs” on the last uphill slog, before turning home for the last 500 meters. Somehow a few of us still managed a sprint finish.

I would like to put a big shout out to our two youngest volunteers at this event, Mahli Ah Kuoi and Ella Densie. These two awesome ladies, took our new “junior" runners around the short course, which meant our Southland Chair was able to run. A great example of how just putting your hand up for one event can really make a difference to those on the organizing committee.

The afternoon tea, of hot soup and cake is always a finishing line highlight, and watching everyone together in the wool shed making new friends and catching up with old ones is a reward in itself.

Shoe Clinic Spot Prize Winners: Grant Baker and Charlotte McVicar

Swim Pass Winner-Archie Davies

Southland Harriers 3 and 1 Day

Free Event!!

This event idea came from our outstanding (and now award winning) volunteer Linda Te Au. Every year she heads north to New Plymouth for their Coastal 5 event. 5 events held over two days (that add up to a marathon), and she suggested we should put together something similar.

Starting at 9am at parkrun Queens Park.

We are lucky to have a great relationship with parkrun Invercargill and they allow us to tag along to their event. If you are not a registered Park Runner, don't worry, the event director on the morning will give you directions. If you run the event make sure you let us know after the mile.

Heather Skerrett Memorial starts at 1pm at Elizabeth Park. Though part of the 3 in 1 Day, it is also a stand alone event, run by St. Pauls Athletic Club. Approximate distance 3.6km for Seniors and 1.8km for Juniors. This memorial event is a trophy event (age graded), and all Southland Club registered runners are eligible for trophies.

What does this mean, it means every second counts, even if you are behind other runners. You do not need to win the event to win the trophy and sometimes the calculations come down to 1% difference.

PLEASE GET YOUR REGISTRATION IN!!

Registration Link (for Heather Skerrett): https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=425017

And Finally the track-mile at ILT stadium, Surrey Park, starts time 2:30pm (800 meters for juniors).

We ask that everyone goes directly from Elizabeth Park to the track for the mile. The reason for this is that we will have a short window between football games to run the track. If you want to run the mile but aren't running Heather Skerrett please keep this in mind, as start time may vary. Also no warming up on the track if football game still going, please and thank you.

After the track-mile, we have a shared tea and awards at the St. Paul's Club Room.

FINALLY- Lets Talk Cross-Country Champs…….

We will be heading to Te Anau again for this event on July 4th. Get your registration in early!

Registration Link: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=425025

Volunteers: To run this event we need volunteers at the finish line. A debrief of Kart Sport indicated we needed another two if not three volunteers to ensure accurate results. This is especially important at our Championship events. Also we need practice before Teretonga (Road Champs)!!

To run this event, we need 10 people to put their hands up and volunteer for the finish line. If we do not have enough people we can not run the event!! So please email: southlandharriers@gmail.com if you are able to help out.