Southland Harriers eNewsletter

Congratulations Southland Secondary School Athletes

Great results and great efforts was the theme of the weekend in Wellington for every runner who participated in the New Zealand Secondary School Cross-Country Champs.

Here is your race report courtesy of Cayden Sanginiti who competed in the Under 17 Male 6km event. Thank you Cayden

“From the start it was super slippery like off the start line I didn’t have much grip and kinda got boxed in. A start with 200 other runners is no joke, there is lots of contact between everyone and it’s super tactical. The first couple hundred meters is almost an all out sprint but it then slowed way down through the creek crossings. First lap felt good and strong, second hurt a little bit though like with both the legs and lungs, last lap felt not too bad either though but I still didn’t have much of a sprint to end off with. Overall it was a great race, super fun and muddy, nothing like I’ve ever raced before!”

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.

Southland Athletics Cross Country Championship

Te Anau, Saturday 4th of July at 2pm

The pinnacle event of our Harriers Season. The Southland Cross-Country Champs will be held in Te Anau this year. Open to all runners and walkers. This event encompasses the Southland Club Champs, to be eligible to win club medals and trophies you must belong to a Southland Club.

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

Registrations Close Wednesday July 2st. Strict no late entries.

RACE DATE/TIME: Saturday 19 July, 2025. The first race will start at 2pm. Please arrive early to check in, warm-up and review the course.

Race 1. 2.00pm Start: AWD, U10B&G, U12B&G, U14B&G, U16B&G, U18W.

Race 2. Approximately 2.20pm Start: U18M, Senior M&W, 35-49M&W, 50-59M&W, 60-69M&W, 70+M&W.

LOCATION: Ivon Wilson Recreation Reserve. 117 Manapouri Te Anau Highway, Te Anau 9679

CATEGORIES: Masters is your age on the day. Everyone else is your age as of December 31st 2026. Example Alex turns 14 on October 25th, because he will be 14 before the end of the year he will be in the under 16 category. Any questions please send us an email.

DISTANCES: Race distances will be set as close to NZ Championships recommendations as possible. Subject to final confirmation these are currently:

AWD?TBC (Athletes with Disabilities, please enter your respective age group and email southlandharriers@gmail.com so we are aware of your entry)

U10B&G 2km

U12B&G 2km

U14B&G 3km

U16B&G 4km

U18M 6km U18W 4km

U20M 6km U20W 6km

SeniorM 9km SeniorW 9km

35-49M 9km 35-49W 6km

50-59M 6km 50-59W 6km

60-69M 6km 60-69W 6km

70+M 6km 70+W 6km

*NOTE: Subject to confirmation

COST: $15 for Registered Athletics NZ Competitive Athletes, $25 for Non Registered/Social/Community Athletes. Bank Account Number: Athletics Southland 03-1750-0096798-000 (please use your first initial and last name as a reference). Please try and pay as soon as you enter.

RACE INFORMATION: Races will be held under Athletics Southland & Athletics NZ Rules for cross country events. Championship titles will be awarded to Athletics Southland registered competitive athletes. Club uniforms are to be worn.

PRIZEGIVING: Prizegiving and afternoon team will be held at Fiordland Events Centre following the completion of the races. Time TBC.

Any questions or queries please contact us at southlandharriers@gmail.com

AT THIS POINT WE HAVE HAD NO ONE VOLUNTEER TO ASSIST AT THE FINISH LINE. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO RUN THIS EVENT. PLEASE EMAIL ASAP IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE!!